Upper Peninsula officials join prison staff at an informational demonstration in Baraga

Staff shortages in Michigan's prisons have been a problem for several years. However, the challenge continues to grow. Mandatory overtime and a high officer-to-prisoner ratio are dangerous for workers and prisoners. Exhaustion and burnout can lead to unsure situations or missteps. Michigan lawmakers are working on solutions and addressing the problems, particularly through wages and benefits.

Well, the staffing shortage has probably been going on since 1997 when they started losing their benefits, their health insurance, their pension. We need to fix that if we want to have a healthy corrections department in Michigan and be one of the best. correction Institutional states in the nation we once were at onceThere is a pension package that would put correctional officers in a hybrid plan with a state police pension plan. – Rep. Greg Markkanen (R), 110th District, Michigan House of Representatives

Rep. Jenn Hill of the 109th District has also introduced a bill that would lower the training requirements for correctional officers and eliminate required college credits.

There is a version in the Senate that came out of committee, it is before the Senate. And then last week I introduced a bill that lift up the requirement of 15 hours of college credit for employment. – Representative Jenn Hill (D), 109th District, Michigan House of Representatives

Other Upper Peninsula representatives also attended the MCOU strike rally at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility to show their support. Representative Greg Markkanen and Representative Hill spoke with employees and shared how the crisis has impacted these families.

We must restore health and pension insurance and return the workforce to full levels throughout the UP and Lower Michigan region. as well asWe have too many civil servants working too many hours, not getting enough sleep, not receive enough time for family and not enough support from Lansing. I am here today with other legislators to support the officers in this information strike. – Rep. Greg Markkanen (R), 110th District, Michigan House of Representatives

Hill said that during her visit to Baraga Prison, she realized how difficult the staff shortage was for both staff and prisoners.

There are three prisons in my district. In the 109th there are Alger, Baraga and Marquette prisons. And in all of these facilities there is severe staff shortages and you have to do mandatory 16-hour shifts. And that prevents people from having a family life. It is prevention them from be able to get an education to perhaps increase their chances. It gets in the way of many, many things. And we need to address the staffing shortage, that's why we're here today. – Representative Jenn Hill (D), 109th District, Michigan House of Representatives

The Michigan House of Representatives will convene on Sept. 11. So will the Michigan Senate. Markkanen added that a bipartisan group plans to meet with Governor Whitmer and Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington in the coming days to discuss solutions. A third vigil will take place today outside Marquette Branch Prison.