Assaults on prison staff have increased in Michigan. Union asks state for change

A union representing Michigan corrections officers reports an increase in violent assaults against prison staff, attributing the rise to the state's insufficient maximum-security prison space. The union claims that dangerous inmates are often housed in lower-security settings, leading to a surge in violence and threats to staff. In 2024, there were 71 assaults on employees at the four Michigan prisons housing the state’s highest-security inmates, up from 44 in 2023. The union argues that the lack of segregation and proper housing contributes to a more dangerous environment for frontline officers.