(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/09/2024) Rep. Sarah L. Lightner (R-Springport) called for the immediate resignation of the Michigan Department of Corrections director on Tuesday, citing a failure to address staffing shortages and dangerous working conditions during her nearly 10 years with the department. 

Lightner said the department has seen a “net loss of corrections officers every single year for the last six years,” which puts corrections officers in “increasingly dangerous” situations. 

“Despite the evident crisis, Director (Heidi) Washington has failed to implement a plan to address the critical staffing shortages, which has resulted in severe low morale, depression, anxiety, and fear among our dedicated corrections officers,” Lightner said in a release. “The lack of effective leadership is directly undermining the mental health and well-being of those who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.  

“Our officers, and our state, deserve better. It is time for Director Washington to resign,” the Representative added. 

When asked for a comment, MDOC spokesperson Kyle Kaminski referred MIRS to the department's prior statement related to staffing that said staffing has been a challenge as staff has had to work high levels of both voluntary and mandated overtime. 

“The department is appreciative of the work that our staff has done during this difficult time, including working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic response,” the statement reads.  

The Michigan Corrections Organization (MCO), the union representing the state’s corrections officers, reports that prison guards are frequently forced to work mandatory 16-hour shifts, Lightner said. 

The MDOC, who currently employs roughly 5,500 officers to oversee nearly 33,000 felons across 26 facilities, has been focused on recruitment and retention of staff, including advertising positions within the MDOC across multiple platforms, conducted hundreds of hiring events, improved the working environments of staff and operating four corrections officer academies each year, the MDOC's statement noted. 

The state also negotiated raises totaling 18 percent since October 2020 for these employees, according to the statement. 

Nearly half of these prisons are experiencing staff vacancy rates exceeding 20 percent, with five facilities facing vacancy rates over 30 percent, according to the MCO.  

MDOC's statement said as of its last report to the Legislature in April, the vacancy level at facilities ranged between 4.3 percent and 36.3 percent for officers. Half of the prisons are now operating with vacancies under 15 percent and eight facilities have a vacancy rate at 5 percent or below, the statement noted. 

MCO President Byron Osborn said in the press release that the working conditions include unsafe prisoner-to-officer ratios, demoralizing mandatory overtime requirements and lax prisoner discipline policies that lead to inmates being “coddled at the expense of officer safety.” 

“While there have been several changes aimed at improving inmate programming over the past decade, no progress has been made to relieve the pressure the staffing crisis is putting on corrections officers,” Lightner said. “The director’s inability to prioritize the safety of our officers over perks for the inmates is misguided and wrong.” 

In a recent letter, the MCO called on the governor to activate the Michigan National Guard to address the hazardous working conditions. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hasn’t yet acknowledged the request. 

Meanwhile, the new state budget she negotiated with Democrats in the Legislature eliminates the $12 million previously set aside to provide signing and retention bonuses to help address the staffing shortage.  

Lightner said the governor must prioritize the staffing crisis and implement sustainable, long-term solutions. That includes replacing Washington, who is part of Whitmer’s administration, with a new director committed to delivering results. 

“We must demand more from our leaders and hold them accountable for their failures,” Lightner said. “It is time for Director Washington to resign and make way for leadership that truly values and supports our corrections officers.” 

Lightner, whose constituents include many corrections officers, has worked closely with them since taking office, bringing attention to the staffing crisis through direct communications with the MDOC and during public hearings of the House’s corrections subcommittee.  

In 2023, she sent a letter to the Michigan Auditor General’s office requesting a review of staffing shortages and other alleged violations of federal and state labor regulations within the Michigan Department of Corrections. An investigation is ongoing, Lightner