LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – As part of the Safe Prisons Initiative, the Michigan Department of Corrections is announcing an increased pay rate of approximately $10,000 per year for new corrections officer recruits at five Upper Peninsula correctional facilities. The increase is expected to improve recruitment and retention, a key component of the initiative.
New hires at the Marquette Branch Prison, Baraga Correctional Facility, Alger Correctional Facility, Kinross Correctional Facility, and Chippewa Correctional Facility would see an increased starting wage from $23.45 to $28.24, reflecting the base compensation typically received following completion of two years of service. These facilities were selected based on current staff vacancy rates and being designated as existing in a hard-to-recruit region of the state.
“We are confident this incentive will be a strong tool for hiring in Upper Peninsula regions where recruitment has historically been challenging due to a variety of factors,” said Director Heidi E. Washington. “Officers currently at these worksites are working tirelessly to operate their facilities in a safe and secure way around the clock. We are optimistic that this change, along with other components of the Safe Prison Initiative, will provide relief to staff and create safer facilities.”
Interested applicants can attend an upcoming hiring event in their area or apply online. Immediately upcoming hiring events at impacted facilities are:
- June 2: Marquette Branch Prison
- June 3: Baraga Correctional Facility
- June 4: Alger Correctional Facility in Munising
- June 17: Kinross and Chippewa Correctional Facilities in Kincheloe
Along with the increased pay, officers will continue to receive comprehensive benefits from the State of Michigan like health, vision, and dental insurance; paid time off and parental leave; 401k with employer match; and more.
M-DOC says officers at these facilities who are currently below the $28.24 hourly pay rate will be brought up to the increased wage. However, discussions on the matter between MDOC and the Michigan Corrections Organization will continue.
More information can be found at michigan.gov.
