LANSING — One of the items included in the recently passed Michigan state budget was a pay increase of three percent for corrections officers within the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). The increase in wages was made in an effort to address the problem with retention of corrections officers in understaffed prisons. Michigan Corrections Organization union (MCO) President Byron Osborn said five of six prisons in the U.P. are understaffed, with Baraga Correctional Facility having an officer vacancy rate of 32 percent. The shortage of officers, he said, leads to mandatory 16-hour shifts which effects officers’ time for rest. When officers are tired, they cannot perform duties efficiently which can lead to dangerous situations within the prison.

“We appreciate the raises, no question

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