IONIA, Mich. — Two state prisons in Ionia have been flagged for serious security lapses following an audit by the Michigan Office of the Auditor General. The Ionia Correctional Facility and Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, located side by side along M-21, were both found to be “partially compliant” with state regulations, with the Ionia facility facing particularly severe issues.
The auditor’s report highlighted a range of troubling practices, including inconsistent and insufficient security checks at both institutions. The Ionia Correctional Facility, which houses high-security inmates, was found to have multiple “material” violations — the most serious level of concern.
Among the significant findings, the audit revealed that corrections officers at Ionia likely falsified search log books 38% of the time. Furthermore, 20% of daily cell searches were incomplete, and in cases where searches were conducted, nearly a third lasted less than a minute. The report also found that during 19% of security rounds in high-security housing units, officers failed to open cell windows to verify the presence or well-being of prisoners.
The Ionia facility was also criticized for inadequate searches at its sallyport, the secured entryway where vehicles, people, and items enter the prison. According to the audit, 64% of items, more than half of vehicles, and nearly a quarter of people were not properly searched. At the front gate, 27% of items and 12% of officers were also not fully screened.
In addition to these material violations, the Ionia facility was cited for failing to meet the minimum number of required cell searches per shift and neglecting to conduct mandatory weekly and daily arsenal inspections.
The Handlon Correctional Facility also faced scrutiny, though the findings were less severe. The audit revealed that officers at Handlon were likely guilty of falsifying daily cell search logs 4% of the time. Moreover, a third of cell searches were conducted too quickly to be considered thorough. The Handlon facility also received reportable conditions for failing to properly document searches of foot and vehicle traffic at its sallyport, with a quarter of these checks going unrecorded.
In response to the audit, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) acknowledged the need for improvement and expressed its commitment to addressing the issues. “Greater consistency is needed regarding certain custody functions,” the department said in a statement. “We are committed to continuous improvement as evidenced by steps taken before and after the initiation of these audits, such as improving department policies, utilizing interdisciplinary teams to conduct process improvements, and making significant investments in staff, technology, and facilities to enhance safety.”
The Michigan Corrections Organization (MCO), the union representing corrections officers, attributed the deficiencies to severe understaffing at the prisons. MCO President Byron Osborn argued that the department’s failure to provide adequate staff has led to exhausted officers, resulting in clerical errors and rushed searches. “We simply do not have enough officers to run these prisons safely or effectively,” Osborn said. He added that officers are often forced to work additional shifts to cover for their colleagues, leading to cut corners in essential security procedures.
Osborn also noted that the shortage of staff has hindered the training of new officers, further exacerbating the problem. “Corners are being cut in all aspects of the prison system right now, not just searches,” he stated.
Despite the criticisms, the MDOC insists that the prisons are still operating effectively and that public safety remains a top priority. The department pledged to continue making improvements to ensure the safety of staff, prisoners, and the surrounding community.
As the state continues to address these findings, the spotlight remains on the need for adequate staffing, consistent security measures, and thorough oversight to maintain the integrity of Michigan’s correctional facilities.
