State Rep. Julie Alexander on Wednesday testified before the House Committee on Appropriations in support of her plan to help address staff shortages at Michigan prisons by allowing former corrections officers to serve again without having their retirement benefits suspended.

“Michigan corrections officers enforce our laws and maintain public safety, but the staff shortages at our prisons have made their jobs harder,” said Alexander, R-Hanover. “Allowing retired officers to put their experience to work again will help lighten the load on other officers.”

Generally, former state employees who are hired by the state again are not allowed to receive their retirement allowance during their employment. Alexander’s House Bill 5765 would allow retired corrections officers to continue receiving their retirement benefits if they resume limited-term positions at MDOC. The exemption would be in effect for two years after the bill becomes law.

Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) leadership recently informed legislators that the state prison system currently has about 770 vacancies in corrections officer positions. The total rises to upwards of 900 vacancies when excluding positions that current recruits are expected to fill.All four facilities in Jackson County are currently experiencing corrections officer shortages of 20% or higher.

“Filling gaps in prison staffing will be a tremendous help for corrections officers in our Jackson community,” Alexander said.

HB 5765 remains under consideration by the committee.

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