ELKTON — Correctional officers at the federal prison in Elkton are suing the federal government for hazard pay for working during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to media reports, the guards’ attorney, Megan Mechak, claims they are entitled to hazard pay because of federal laws. The corrections officers, Mechak argues, are entitled either to hazard pay or environmental pay based on their pay scale.

The lawsuit also claims that any overtime worked during the pandemic should be recalculated based off that pay, and they should be compensated for back pay and interest.

FCI-Elkton houses approximately 2,400 inmates in the low security facility. Last month, the Bureau of Prisons reported that more than 900 inmates and 54 staff members have recovered from the virus since the beginning of the pandemic. Nine inmates have died from COVID-19.