No Guards in Prison Towers Proposed

(Detroit, Michigan) The Michigan Department of Corrections has proposed cutting costs by eliminating the midnight shift of corrections officers stationed on guard towers at two Detroit prison facilities.

The proposal also includes reducing the number of tower guards during the day. The proposal is obviously controversial since it implies that inmates will be housed on the "honor system" and not attempt to escape after dark.

"Gun towers are part of the safety there for those folks, not only the correctional officers, but everybody working inside there, and they're protection for the prisoners, as well," said Mel Grieshaber.

He is the executive director of the union representing correctional officers. Grieshaber says gun towers can help break up inmate fights, deter escapes and keep contraband out.

Now, union representatives say one of their main fears is someone might actual hide say drugs or weapons inside a pop can and throw it right over the fence so that a prisoner could pick it up the next morning.

"A perimeter vehicle is not enough to stop that kind of thing," Grieshaber said.

However, it might have to as the Department of Corrections looks to trim some $50-million from its budget.

A DOC spokesperson said a decision is expected in about two weeks.

Interestingly, this is the first time I've seen a report that implies that prisons enjoy the luxury of spare corrections officers. All reports and discussions I've seen claimed that there are never enough.

In any event, a reduction of guard presence arguably means there were too many to start with or safety is going to be compromised.