North Michigan News

Senator John Damoose has expressed support for a set of legislative measures aimed at improving employment conditions within the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). On Wednesday, Damoose voted in favor of three bills designed to enhance employee morale and create incentives to fill vacant positions.

"The problem is simple," stated Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. "Without additional pay and benefits, our prisons are not able to hire or retain enough officers. That means forced overtime for those who do actually work — which usually occurs without significant notice and in a terribly difficult, high-stress work environment."

The proposed Senate Bills 165-167 seek to allow state corrections officers to join the state police pension fund. This plan includes both a traditional pension component and a 401(k)-type savings component. New employees hired after September 30, 2024, would be eligible for this pension plan.

As per testimony presented, approximately 17% of corrections officer positions across the state were vacant as of May 2023. This shortage has resulted in extended workdays due to mandatory overtime, contributing to mental health issues among officers.

"Since my first visit to the Kinross Correctional Facility, and in the numerous meetings there since, and in talks with dozens of prison employees, I have never seen a more frustrated and demoralized workforce — and rightfully so," Damoose remarked. "We need meaningful solutions that will help address the core issues and one of the most common suggestions was reforming the pension system."

Damoose urged his colleagues in the House to expedite the passage of these bills so they can be enacted swiftly. "The wheels of government are known to move slowly, but time is of the essence here," he emphasized. "We know what the issue is; we’ve heard from the workers, so we just need to get it done."