JACKSON, Mich. (Feb. 21, 2025) — Today, Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) met with local corrections officers and Michigan Corrections Organization Executive Director Ray Sholtz to hear firsthand about the challenges facing Michigan’s corrections officers. Sen. Shink represents hundreds of corrections officers as part of her district, is the Majority Vice Chair on the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety policy committee, and chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections and Judiciary.
“I appreciate hearing directly from our corrections officers about the challenges they face every day,” said Sen. Shink. “These men and women do incredibly important and difficult work, and they deserve the support and benefits necessary to ensure their safety and well-being. I will continue advocating for policies that recognize their sacrifice and service to our communities, on the job and in retirement.”
During the discussion, officers shared their concerns about working conditions, staffing shortages, and the partisan obstruction of previously passed legislation that would expand pension benefits for corrections officers. The legislation, which has broad support, remains stalled in the Michigan House.
“As the future of our pension reform bill awaits an uncertain future, we’re grateful to leaders like Senator Shink who are fighting for over 5,000 corrections officers who keep Michigan safe. Our officers have gone above and beyond to serve our communities with distinction, and they deserve to retire with dignity,” said Cary Johnson, a corrections officer at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility and Vice President of the Michigan Corrections Organization. “We hope the House will stop playing political games with our lives and deliver our bill to the Governor immediately.”
House Bills 4665, 4666, and 4667 of 2023, which are nearly identical to a legislative package Sen. Shink helped spearhead in the Senate, would allow new corrections and other state law enforcement officers to become members of the Michigan State Police (MSP) hybrid retirement system and allow current officers to choose to move retirement systems. Both chambers passed this legislation last year. It had bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
Sen. Shink and her Democratic colleagues will continue advocating for policies that support Michigan corrections officers and honor their dedication to keeping Michigan safe.