(The Center Square) – A group of Michigan lawmakers called on Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington to seriously address the deterioration of prisons across the state, with severe staffing shortages, property damage and assaults on guards remaining largely unaddressed for years.
“Our corrections officers have been pleading for support from MDOC leadership and the governor for years,” said State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, at an informational picket Thursday. “They need help at work and the ability to have reasonably assured family and personal time outside of work. They need access to health care and benefits upon retirement- especially those that have injuries or mental health issues.”
The event focused on a recently introduced bill that would slash most of the pre-requisites prospective corrections officers must complete, including taking 15 college credits. While the MODC supports the plan, actual corrections officers said it fails to address the real problems behind the shortages.
“Removing the 15-credit requirement will not solve this crisis,” said President Byron Osborn of the Michigan Corrections Organization, the union which represents MDOC employees. “Further measures to reduce the qualifications to get this job are not the answer. Corrections officers will continue to leave if we don’t address the unsafe working conditions and persistent abuses of mandatory overtime. We need to attract qualified applicants that have an interest in criminal justice work, they are the people that want to stay.”
To do this, legislators should pass laws to increase wages and return corrections officers’ pensions, Osborn and the representatives said.
“Corrections officers aren’t leaving their jobs because they’re mad about taking a few college credits ten years ago. They’re leaving because they don’t get paid enough,” Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River, said.
McBroom agreed, adding that the proposed legislation would only “de-professionalize” prison staff.
In recent years, Republican lawmakers have advocated for better working conditions, reduction of mandatory overtime, pay increases, and post-employment benefits for prison employees. McBroom co-sponsored Michigan Senate Bills 156 and 157, which would improve retirement benefits for corrections officers.
Osborn sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in early July, requesting she deploy the Michigan National Guard to correctional facilities given the continued severity of the staffing shortage, The Center Square previously reported.
