Protesters who disapprove of prison job cuts were lining Highway 41 in front of the Marquette Branch Prison Tuesday.
MARQUETTE -- Some members of the Michigan Corrections Organization are protesting against statewide prison position changes.
In an effort to save money, the department is cutting all sorts of jobs in prisons.
Protesters say the less people working at the prisons, the less safe it is for everyone.
"I took this job, and I knew it was a dangerous job. You walk in there your first day, you know it's a dangerous job. And what you have there, you realize that we have each other. And the less bodies we have, it makes it less safe. It's what it all boils down to," Union President for Marquette Branch Prison, Todd Ninnis said.
They're not only protesting for the safety of the prison workers, but also for the prisoners.
While there have been several position changes throughout the state, the public is most upset about one job in particular... The removal of the perimeter patrol vehicle.
"There's other ways to save money in the Department of Corrections, surely, without doing away with your patrol vehicle. That's your last line of defense. When that fence is breached, it's that armed officer in that full-time vehicle that protected the citizens here in Michigan," Marquette Corrections Organization President, Todd Tylutki said.
They're asking supporters to call Governor Snyder's office and voice their concerns.
The protesters were at the Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility yesterday, and are headed to prisons in Newberry and Munising tomorrow.
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