MDOC Adding Hundreds of New High-Security Beds to Increase Prison Safety

Planned projects also include increases to barrier-free accessible rooms and Protection Unit changes

Lansing, Mich. - MDOC continues efforts as part of the department's Safe Prisons Initiative to improve prisoner classification and bed space. Ongoing and upcoming projects will increase high-security beds by 870, upgrade 30 rooms to accommodate individuals with accessibility requirements, and relocate individuals housed in a Protection Unit to better support their management needs and maintain capacity around the state.

"When we have the right housing to support individuals throughout their course of incarceration, we create safer facilities for staff and increase the success of those housed there," said MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington. "Our population is always changing and the transitions happening right now will deliver immediate improvements in how we operate. At the same time, our new investments in high security infrastructure will ensure that, moving forward, we will be providing the most advanced and effective correctional environment available within these new units."

New Units at Oaks Correctional Facility (ECF) and St. Louis Correctional Facility (SLF)

In partnership with the legislature, MDOC worked to secure $152 million in FY27 funding to construct two new high-security units. When completed, over 400 new Level IV and Level V/Segregation beds will be added to the department's current capacity. Construction of these units is expected to take roughly two and a half years, and the units will be designed based on the most up-to-date strategies for managing high-level individuals. The project will construct one unit at ECF and one at SLF.

Macomb Correctional Facility (MRF) Transition

In March, the department announced a plan to increase the number of Level IV beds at MRF. The transition, which is currently underway, will result in the addition of 182 beds at that level, allowing for closer supervision, more limited movement, and the ability to place more prisoners at this level of management. The project is on schedule and expected to be completed by Sep.18, 2026.

Oaks Correctional Facility (ECF) Transition

ECF will be converting the operation of multiple units which will result in 192-bed Level IV Unit and a 96-bed Level V Unit. Prisoners impacted by this change will be relocated to other housing units and facilities that meet their management needs. Prisoners requiring protective housing will either be housed at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility (IBC) or a Protective Housing Unit at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU). Completion of these unit conversions are projected to be complete by the end of 2026.

Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU) Transition - Protection Unit

Transformations are taking place at MTU to convert a Level II General Population Unit into a Protective Housing Unit. This will allow the department to maintain sufficient protective housing capacity after the conversion of the ECF Protection Unit, while allowing individuals in protection to be housed in a facility better suited to their management needs. Unit improvements and the relocation of incarcerated individuals are expected to be completed this fall.

Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility (OBC) - Accessibility Transition

To provide the department with more housing flexibility, IBC is undergoing an ADA accessibility project which will upgrade 30 cells to safely and appropriately house those with accessibility requirements. This project is expected to be completed by the start of January 2027.

Summary of Changes:

• SLF and ECF: Two new units will be built to provide over 400 new high-security beds by 2030.
• MRF: Converting Level II to Level IV, for 182 additional Level IV beds.
• ECF: Converting several units with the result being 192 Level IV beds and 96 Level V beds.
• MTU: The conversion of a single General Population Unit to a Protection Unit will house individuals coming from the Protection Unit at ECF.
• IBC: ADA accessibility project will upgrade 30 cells to be barrier free accessible.
• Total high-security beds added as a result of these initiatives: 870

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