Michigan Corrections Organization

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

03/25/2026

In Memoriam: Josephine McCallum and George Haight

This week, we are honoring two Michigan corrections officers who died in the line of duty.

Fallen Officer Josephine McCallum
Josephine McCallum was murdered on March 24, 1987 at the former State Prison of Southern Michigan in Jackson. Her body was found in a stairwell.

She had worked for the MDOC for only 46 days. It was her first day on a solo assignment. She was assigned to watch inmate movement to and from a college classroom building. Her death raised questions about on-the-job training and single-staff assignments.

McCallum’s murderer was given a life sentence. He is locked up at a prison in the U.P.

Fallen Gatekeeper George Haight
Deputy Gatekeeper George Haight died March 27, 1893 after eating tainted food prepared by an inmate at what was then called the Michigan State Penitentiary in Jackson.

The prisoner cozied up to a prison captain and was allowed special privileges. He was given permission to cook meals and purchase hazardous chemicals.

One night, the prisoner fed Haight, the captain, and other workers food poisoned with cyanide. When Haight passed out, the inmate swiped his key ring and escaped. He was apprehended and returned to the prison days later.

Haight’s murderer was never charged, possibly because he was already serving a life sentence for his mother’s murder.

McCallum, Haight, and two other Michigan corrections officers who made the ultimate sacrifice – Earl DeMarse in September 1973 and Jack Budd in December 1987 – are honored on MCO’s Fallen Officers’ Memorial.

May all our fallen officers rest in peace.

In Memoriam: Josephine McCallum and George Haight Posted on March 25, 2026 in Membership News by Adam Earley This week, we are honoring two Michigan corrections officers who died in the line of duty. Josephine McCallum was murdered on March 24, 1987 at the former State Prison of Southern Michigan in...

03/18/2026

We are proud to announce Officer Joseph Perala as Michigan's 2026 Corrections Officer of the Year. With 19 years of dedicated service, Officer Perala exemplifies professionalism, leadership, and a commitment to safety.

His chain of command at Baraga Correctional Facility describes him as “a tremendous asset… always willing to go the extra mile” and “a positive role model for newer staff members.”

Throughout his career, beginning at Alger Correctional Facility and then at Baraga Correctional Facility since 2016, Officer Perala has earned a reputation as a teammate, and leader, who can be relied upon. He responds decisively during critical incidents and continually seeks out additional training to strengthen facility safety.

He is an outstanding representative of MDOC. Please join us in celebrating Officer Perala for his exceptional service and well‑deserved recognition!

03/12/2026

MCO 2026 Scholarships

Our MCO Scholarship Program will award 20 scholarships of $750 each to children of MCO members who will be enrolled in college this fall. Deadline: May 1.

Eligibility:

Child, stepchild, or adopted child of an MCO member in good standing according to the MCO bylaws.

Graduate from high school or G.E.D. program by August 2026 and be enrolled as a college freshman by fall semester of 2026, or;

Be returning to an accredited college or university as a sophomore, junior, or senior as of fall semester 2026.

Winners from previous years will not be considered.

03/12/2026

warriorswire.usatoday.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/03/12/michigan-prison-security-classifications-violence/89086265007/

It's more costly to house inmates at higher security levels, but the Michigan Corrections Organization says the system needs more high-security beds.

03/12/2026

03/10/2026

Three different prisons – one unified message…

Kincheloe - I am just leaving the Kinross Correctional Facility after a day of touring three separate prisons - Newberry, Chippewa, and Kinross - with several colleagues from the legislature. There was one resounding message at each facility. We are on the verge of a meltdown for the entire prison system if we are not able to address the staffing crisis immediately.

We spoke with Corrections Officers who are beyond demoralized. They face mandatory overtime often six days a week for 16 hours at a time. Human beings cannot function like that, especially in a tough work environment like a prison.

We have been aware of this problem for years, but this time seemed even worse than my previous visits. Families are under tremendous pressures. The officers are so discouraged that they don’t know how much longer they can take it. It is unconscionable that our state would treat its own employees in such a manner.

In 2024, we passed several bills that could help by allowing our Corrections Officers access to the State Police pension program. We have heard over and over how the ability to retain officers hinges on restoring pensions which turn a job into a career. But for some reason, those bills have yet to be presented to the Governor for her signature.

We are also paying these officers less than those in neighboring states, which further exacerbates the shortage in available workers.

One officer told me he is “disgusted“ and he cannot wait to get out. Two officers told me that their marriages – each well over 20 years – had fallen apart because they were only home a few hours each week. Everyone I met had a similar story. Missed birthdays and sporting events for their kids; missed holidays with their families; missed anniversaries with their spouses. And not just once – all the time.

We must do better than that for our people. This situation is simply unsafe with officers working in dangerous conditions who are utterly exhausted. This will continue to be a priority for me in the coming months and years. We must not continue to fail those who are sacrificing so much in such an important part of our society and it is immoral that we seem to treat many prisoners better than we treat our Corrections Officers.

Michigan Corrections Organization

03/10/2026

03/03/2026

Congratulations to the five finalists for the 2026 Corrections Officer of the Year award! We wish all of them good luck as they enter the final selection process.

Brent Ploetz- MRF Transportation Cadre
Jessica Young- SMT
Joseph Perala- AMF
Peter Bissell- ECF
Garlan Nichols- IBC