Michigan Corrections Organization

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

SUE SHINK
14TH DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 30036
LANSING, MI 48909-7536
PHONE: (517) 373-2426
FAX: (517) 373-2964
[email protected]
THE SENATE STATE OF MICHIGAN
COMMITTEES:
NATURAL RESOURCES & AGRICULTURE (C)
CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, & PUBLIC SAFETY (VC)
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
HOUSING & HUMAN SERVICES
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
APPROPRIATIONS
Heidi Washington
Director, Michigan Department of Corrections
Grandview Plaza
206 E. Michigan Ave, P.O. Box 30003
Lansing, MI 48909
June 11, 2026
Dear Director Washington,
We appreciate the effort to address the staffing crisis at Baraga, Marquette, Alger, Kinross, and Chippewa Correctional Facilities in the Upper Peninsula, and understand that the department is working on pathways to improve officer retention and wellbeing. However, the staffing crisis within our prisons is a statewide issue, and as such, requires a statewide solution.
There are twenty-one other prisons in the state. Officers at all of these prisons deal with difficult working conditions and suffer if staffing is inadequate, which is clear in the publicly released data on vacancy rates in Michigan correctional facilities. It is concerning to pick winners and losers among facilities when officer vacancy rates are prevalent and severe across the state.
Corrections officers are working hard in every facility to keep them safe and running appropriately. Officers need support from the department and adequate staffing levels at all facilities to successfully accomplish this goal. They are the backbone of our system. Ensuring a safe and fully staffed working environment is beneficial for both officers and prisoners, and we request that the department consider solutions that address vacancy rates holistically.
We hope to continue to work with you to accomplish our common goal of ensuring that all correctional facilities in Michigan are safe and appropriately staffed.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator, District 14
John Cherry
State Senator, District 27
Sarah Anthony
State Senator, District 21
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator, District 13
Stephanie Chang
State Senator, District 3
John Damoose
State Senator, District 37
Chedrick Greene
State Senator, District 35
Jeff Irwin
State Senator, District 15
Thomas Albert
State Senator, District 18
Ed McBroom
State Senator, District 38

04/27/2026

https://www.pbs.org/video/pressing-matters-mdoc-staffing-crisis-e0qytg/

Pressing Matters examines Michigan’s prison system and the crisis level staffing shortage.

04/03/2026

April 3, 2026- Update on hybrid pension bills

Members,

The Michigan Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on May 6, 2026, for oral arguments in the Senate vs House of Representatives lawsuit concerning the hybrid pension bills that were not sent to the Governor. The Court has expedited the process by requiring briefs to be submitted prior to the hearing rather than after the hearing, which is the usual procedure. The Court’s session ends on July 31, 2026, and it is anticipated that the court will rule prior to that date. If the Court rules the same way the Court of Appeals ruled, the bills will be required to be sent to the Governor who can then either sign the bills into law or veto them. Further updates will be sent throughout the process.

B. Osborn
MCO President