North Michigan News

State Senator Ed McBroom has expressed his support for the final vote on legislation that would offer Michigan corrections officers a new pension plan option. This plan is similar to those available to other statewide officers, such as state police troopers.

“I have long supported efforts to raise pay and benefits and improve working conditions for our state’s corrections officers,” said McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. He emphasized the ongoing challenges in hiring and retaining staff necessary for maintaining safety in prisons across Michigan. According to McBroom, these staffing shortages create dangerous environments for both prisoners and officers.

McBroom had previously introduced Senate Bills 156 and 157 with the same objective earlier this term. He later backed nearly identical bills — SBs 166 and 167 — introduced by other legislators.

“This pension option would give us one of the tools we need to help attract and retain good corrections officers, ultimately helping make our prisons safer and enhancing the quality of life for these brave men and women and their families,” stated state Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock.

House Bills 4665 and 4666, which received support from all Upper Peninsula legislators, aim to allow certain state employees like Department of Corrections officers to join a retirement system that includes both a pension component and a 401(k)-type savings component.

“The hard truth is our prisons are unsafe because they are understaffed, and our officers are unappreciated and overworked — an alarming report from the department showed that a huge number of recent recruits left within their first year,” commented state Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. He stressed that since the department has not addressed these issues, it falls upon the Legislature to provide solutions.

McBroom agreed but highlighted that further action is required beyond improving retirement options. “In the end, the state and department must go far beyond just providing a better retirement. Starting pay, working conditions and post-employment health care must also be improved. Additionally, the department must be held accountable for violations of its contract and internal policies that are making the job more dangerous, including reclassifying dangerous prisoners to lower security levels,” he added.

Rep.-elect Karl Bohnak expressed commitment from the incoming legislative team to continue advocating for corrections employees' welfare. “Next year’s U.P. legislative team in the state House and Senate are committed to advocating on behalf of our dedicated corrections employees,” Bohnak stated.