State Sen. Ed McBroom supported the final vote on legislation to allow Michigan corrections officers a new option to join a pension plan similar to other statewide officers, like state police troopers.

“I have long supported efforts to raise pay and benefits and improve working conditions for our state’s corrections officers,” said McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. “Michigan continues to struggle to hire and retain staff to keep our prisons safe. In the U.P. and across the state, severe staffing shortages contribute to more dangerous environments for both Michigan’s prisoners and our officers.”

McBroom previously introduced Senate Bills 156 and 157 to accomplish this same goal earlier this term and then went to support nearly identical bills — SBs 166 and 167 — that were later introduced by other members.

“This pension option would give us one of the tools we need to help attract and retain good corrections officers, ultimately helping make our prisons safer and enhancing the quality of life for these brave men and women and their families,” said state Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock.

All Upper Peninsula legislators supported House Bills 4665 and 4666 to allow certain state employees — such as Department of Corrections officers — to participate in a retirement system, which includes both a pension component and a 401(k)-type savings component.

“The hard truth is our prisons are unsafe because they are understaffed, and our officers are unappreciated and overworked — an alarming report from the department showed that a huge number of recent recruits left within their first year,” said state Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. “Since the department has not fixed the situation, the Legislature has a duty to step up and provide solutions.”

McBroom agreed but stressed that more work remains.

“In the end, the state and department must go far beyond just providing a better retirement. Starting pay, working conditions and post-employment health care must also be improved. Additionally, the department must be held accountable for violations of its contract and internal policies that are making the job more dangerous, including reclassifying dangerous prisoners to lower security levels,” McBroom said.

Rep.-elect Karl Bohnak added that the incoming legislative team is committed to continuing efforts on behalf of corrections employees.

“Next year’s U.P. legislative team in the state House and Senate are committed to advocating on behalf of our dedicated corrections employees,” Bohnak said.