By Mel D. Grieshaber
Ann Arbor (Executive director, Michigan Corrections Organization)
Grand Rapids Press
The recent Auditor General Report on Department of Corrections personnel costs confirms much of what the Michigan Corrections Organization (the union representing corrections officers) has been saying for a number of years. As the exclusive representative for the state’s correctional officers, we have been calling for increased staffing since 2002. Although the report says DOC needs to determine the optimal balance between continued overtime needs versus hiring more officers to alleviate overtime, for MCO there is a more important reason: Appropriate staffing levels equate to safety, keeping everyone who works or lives in and around the prison safe.
Although the prisoner population continues to increase, the report shows the number of correctional officers has actually decreased.
Increased prisoner-to -officer ratios create a more dangerous environment. The report supports hiring more correctional officers, and even though DOC has hired officers over the last two years, the statistics show hiring has not kept up with attrition.
Correctional officers face stress and danger every day in protecting the public and deserve every dollar they make. The projected hiring plans of DOC and the Legislature are inadequate and should be adjusted immediately to save money as well as keep us safe.
Copyright 2008 Grand Rapids Press