LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. John Damoose issued the following statement calling on his colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives to immediately pass legislation addressing dire concerns within the Michigan Department of Corrections:
“We need to demand the Senate immediately take up and pass Senate Bills 165-167 to allow our corrections officers to participate in the state police pension fund. We do not need any lip service about the challenges faced by our corrections officers — we need action to actually address these challenges.
“Since my first visit to the Kinross Correctional Facility, the numerous meetings there since, and in talks with dozens of prison employees, I have never seen a more frustrated and demoralized workforce — and they are rightfully angry.
“The problem is simple: Without additional pay and benefits, our prisons are not able to hire or retain enough officers. That means forced overtime for those who do actually work — which usually occurs without notice and in a terribly difficult and stressful work environment. We cannot keep pushing and pushing these workers and then expect a positive outcome. This needs to be addressed right now.
“Everyone I have spoken with has told me that giving access to the state police pension fund is a big part of the solution. I’ve been working with Sen. John Cherry, who sponsored one of the bills, to get this legislation moving.
“There are a lot of politicians saying they are concerned for our corrections officers, but it’s up to all of us to make sure they don’t get away with just talk — that they’ll actually do what it takes to fix the problem. Please join me in calling for the Senate leadership to bring Senate Bills 165-167 up for a vote as soon as possible.
“I’m ready to immediately get back to work and to vote YES on these important bills.”
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