ST. IGNACE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s prison system remains vastly understaffed, despite repeated efforts by corrections officers to sound the alarm and request help from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. However, repeated attempts to have the Governor intervene have fallen on deaf ears in the Whitmer administration.

While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her administration spent the week in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, corrections officers in the Upper Peninsula participated in informational pickets. A July 3 request from the Michigan Corrections Organization (MCO) to Gov. Whitmer pleading with her to activate the Michigan National Guard to fill the gaps fell on deaf ears.

Informational pickets in the U.P.

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This week, several lawmakers joined corrections officers at informational pickets at three prisons in the Upper Peninsula. State Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township) joined state Reps. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River) and Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) called on Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) Director Heidi Washington to listen to her frontline officers and address the staffing shortages.

“Our corrections officers have been pleading for support from MDOC leadership and the governor for years,” said McBroom. “The officers we’re joining on the picket line haven’t been shy about what they need from the governor and Director Washington. 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.”

Are there legislative solutions?

Last month, fellow Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) called for Director Washington’s resignation shortly after the MCO sent its letter to Gov. Whitmer.

There appears to be some movement in the state Legislature on solving the prison staffing problem. State Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) recently introduced legislation that would axe a 15-college credit requirement for prospective corrections officers. MDOC fully supports the bill, but the MCO is frustrated and said the plan fails to address the root cause of the ongoing problem.

While MDOC leadership announced their full support for Hill’s plan, U.P. Republicans echoed the MCO’s frustration with the plan’s premise and actual ability to address the real problems.

“Removing the 15-credit requirement will not solve this crisis,” said Corrections Officers’ Union President Byron Osborn. “We need impactful legislation that will produce immediate results to address the retention challenges we face. 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.”

Keeping corrections officers in Michigan.

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In addition, Osborn said Michigan needs to attract qualified applicants who want to stay in Michigan. Rep. Prestin echoed these sentiments. “Corrections officers aren’t leaving their jobs because they’re mad about taking a few college credits ten years ago,” Prestin said. “They’re leaving because they don’t get paid enough.”

In addition, Prestin mentioned that 6 out of 10 officers leave after several months on the job once they realize the impact of the low paid, tough working conditions, and little time for family life.

“MDOC needs to fund the things that matter, like increased pay and benefits,” Prestin continued. “We’ll never fix this crisis if we don’t keep the well-trained, hardworking staff already doing the job.”