Staff shortages in Michigan’s prisons prompt Governor Whitmer to deploy National Guard

Michigan’s correctional officers union is calling on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to take action.

The organization is demanding that the National Guard be mobilized to help staff Michigan’s prisons, which it says are dangerously understaffed, endangering the lives of inmates and staff.

Michigan is home to about 33,000 inmates in 26 state prisons, but only about 5,500 correctional officers.

“I am formally requesting that you activate the Michigan National Guard to provide immediate incarceration support to prisons that desperately need it while we work directly with you to find realistic, lasting relief measures.”

Michigan Corrections Organization President Byron Osborn sent Whitmer the above statement on Wednesday (July 3).

Osborn attributes the increase in violence to many things, including a significant gang problem and policy changes that have reduced solitary confinement.

“For example, they aim to hire 700 to 800 officers every year,” Osborn said. “If they can hit that number in the best case scenario, that gives us a boost because our normal turnover in a year through retirements, resignations, promotions, etc. is the same. So we never get a net increase in officers, even though the legislature continues to provide money to hire that number. That number is not big enough.”

In his letter, Osborn writes: “I am formally requesting that you activate the Michigan National Guard to provide immediate incarceration support to prisons that desperately need it. This support could be an important step toward realistic, lasting relief efforts.”

This would not be the first time that members of the Michigan National Guard have helped out in Michigan prisons. In fact, their previous support, such as providing vaccinations in prisons at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been useful and reassuring.

If Whitmer approves the request and allows National Guard members to work in prison, they would not carry rifles or other weapons. Correctional officers in Michigan are generally not armed but can access weapons if necessary.