OTTAWA, CANADA - Canada's prison officers will pocket a huge pay raise of up to 44% if they adopt a tentative deal between their union and the federal government.

The eight-year contract, which will run until 2010, will give guards an average 30% pay hike, awarding the highest-paid employees a bump to $70,477 from $53,137. New recruits will earn $49,571 -- a 44% increase from the current $34,277.

Sylvain Martel, president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, said the agreement puts officers almost on par with RCMP officers for salary and pensions after years of being treated like the "welfare child" of public safety officers.

“It's a right step in the right direction for the recognition of the difficult and dangerous employment that we're doing. It recognizes the contribution of all 6,000 in the protection of all Canadians.”

The deal also will keep injured staff on the payroll with full salary and benefits during their recovery.