MUNISING, MI (AP)— Michigan prisoners who are trusted to train dogs are getting a 42-percent pay cut to $1.54 per day after a mistake was discovered by the Corrections Department.
Prisoners already receive low wages for their work behind bars. Now, a pay cut from $2.65 per day hurts, especially when the job requires special skills. The Detroit Free Press says a Corrections Department official made a mistake by approving the higher pay rate around 2011.
Men who train dogs at the Alger Correctional Facility say they must have a good record and complete an eight-week training program to get the jobs.
Louise Reichert of Escanaba says her Pomeranian was trained by prisoners and he's been a great pet.