Michigan Department of Corrections

The policy comes amid concerns over drug smuggling and is an expansion of an existing policy for standard mail in state prisons.

There were 15 assaults on staff and another 25 on prisoners at the St Louis Facility, according to the union's report.

The Standish Maximum Correctional Facility has been vacant since 2009. State Representative Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres) said he wants the facility to be retrofitted to serve a new public purpose, but it’s unclear what the prison could become.

Last month, the state Senate passed legislation that would expand pension options for state correctional officers beyond the standard state employee 401k.

The department is looking for not only corrections officers, but health care and skilled trades staff to boost staffing levels at several state prisons across the state.

Officers will be hosting three informational pickets at correctional facilities in Marquette, Baraga and Chippewa counties next week.

“These folks are working multiple 16-hour shifts per week,” said Byron Osborn, president of the Michigan Corrections Organization. “Their family lives are being disrupted. Their health is being impacted. They’re exhausted. And it’s leading to more and more resignations, which only exacerbates the problem.”

The department said the change came after receiving feedback on the list last year, pushing them to reduce the number of publications on the banned publication list.

“We are confident that getting 500 guns out of the hands of high-risk folks has made communities safer," says Michigan Department of Corrections legislative liaison.

Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee, D-Flint, recently introduced legislation to the House Ways and Means Committee that would eliminate a tax penalty on state and local correctional officers who chose to retire before the age of 60.