MARQUETTE, MI— Michigan Senator Ed McBroom says there are no quick fixes to the state’s prison staffing crisis, but something needs to be done, and soon.
Chronic understaffing has led to mandatory 16-hour shifts and incidents with inmates.
Sources say there have been more than 200 assaults at Marquette Branch Prison this year, and shifts are being run at 15 officers below what used to be critical staffing levels.
McBroom says the Department of Corrections needs to address the highest priority situation first—lack of personnel.
“We need to bring in immediate support for our state employees, there, whether that’s through the National Guard, State Police, local sheriff’s departments. We have to do something to immediately triage the hazardous situation.”
McBroom thinks the MDOC needs an intermediate plan for more recruiting and retention—which could include higher pay—then a longer-term plan that includes pensions and health benefits.
The Republican senator plans to attend at least one of next week’s informational pickets at three Upper Peninsula prisons.
