MDOC must now address prison staffing, says McBroom

MARQUETTE, MI— Michigan State Senator Ed McBroom says there is no quick fix to the staffing crisis in the state's prisons, but something needs to be done, and soon.

Chronic staff shortages have led to mandatory 16-hour shifts and incidents involving inmates.

According to sources, there have been more than 200 assaults at Marquette Branch Prison this year, and shifts are being operated with 15 fewer officers than previously critical staffing levels.

McBroom says the Department of Corrections must first address the most pressing issue: staffing shortages.

“We need to provide immediate support to our public servants there, whether it's through the National Guard, the State Police or the local sheriff's departments. We need to do something to immediately assess the danger situation.”

McBroom believes the MDOC first needs a medium-term plan to attract and retain employees, which could include higher salaries, and then a longer-term plan that includes pensions and health benefits.

The Republican senator plans to attend at least one of the information sessions outside three Upper Peninsula prisons next week.