MDOC Increases High Security Beds and Closes Housing Unit to Further Safe Prisons Initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Corrections is announcing a plan to increase the number of Level IV beds at Macomb Correctional Facility and to close a Level II unit at Chippewa Correctional Facility as part of the department's ongoing mission to provide safe and secure prisons.

To meet an increased need for Level IV beds, Macomb Correctional Facility will see a Level II unit, currently occupied by medium security prisoners, converted to accommodate prisoners with higher management needs by providing a more controlled environment. Level II prisoners impacted by this change will be relocated to other housing units and facilities that meet their management needs.

The transition will result in the addition of roughly 190 higher security Level IV beds, allowing for closer supervision, more limited movement, and ultimately increased safety for officers and the prisoner population. The transition will also allow for further opportunities to optimize prisoner bed space availability across the state to meet the evolving management needs of the modern prison population.

The department is also announcing the temporary closure of a Level II housing unit at Chippewa Correctional Facility with prisoners being relocated to other housing units and facilities. The closure is a result of reduced demand for these beds and staff vacancies at the facility which have been difficult to fill because of the availability of qualified candidates in the area, competing employment opportunities, housing availability, and other factors. The closure is expected to reduce overtime and increase retention of current employees, while promoting a safer prison and employee wellbeing.

The Michigan Department of Corrections launched the Safe Prisons Initiative in 2026 to highlight ongoing initiatives that promote safety and security inside prison facilities across the state. The initiative identifies five key areas for safety success including prisoner classification and bed space; contraband introduction and technology; prisoner programming; training and staff support; and recruitment and retention.

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