Corrections Budget Approved by Senate

[tballa]

I found what I was looking for: Here is another website...
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/Departments/DPcor_web.html

To update on my class: the students two most common solutions for cutting the MDOC budget were prisons and food. So we had a good discussion on these two topics.

[RAJustice]

Originally Posted by tballa

I found what I was looking for: Here is another website...
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/Departments/DPcor_web.html

To update on my class: the students two most common solutions for cutting the MDOC budget were prisons and food. So we had a good discussion on these two topics.

Did you have them google the causes of riots?

[HOPE4FUTURE]

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/in...budget_ed.html

[walkermom]

Originally Posted by tballa

I found what I was looking for: Here is another website...
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/Departments/DPcor_web.html

To update on my class: the students two most common solutions for cutting the MDOC budget were prisons and food. So we had a good discussion on these two topics.

Make sure you explain to them that we all have had reports that the boxes the food is packaged in reads "Not for Human Consumption".
We have reports from all over the state for this and the fact that a lot of food is spoiled but still served to the guys.

[RAJustice]

From the link provided by Hope4future....

Prisons targeted for cuts

The state Department of Corrections is expected to close at least one prison in order to cut more than $42 million from prison operations in the budget approved this week.

The department has not identified facilities for possible closure and is assessing bed space and management needs, said spokesman John Cordell.

"We're reviewing what makes the most sense for the department," Cordell said. "It's fiscally irresponsible of us to keep a prison open if it's not filled."

He said the state's prison population, now at about 44,100, has continued to decline. He attributed the slipping numbers to the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, a statewide program that helps prisoners adjust to life in the community, and falling state population.

However, if numbers stay stable or tick up, the department might have to find other alternatives to slash spending on prison operations, he said.

The department has cut $600 million from its budget since 2002, Cordell said. In 2007, the state closed the 1,400-bed Southern Michigan Correctional Facility in Jackson to save $35 million.

"We're running a very efficient department of corrections now," Cordell said. "To find $42 million without closing a prison is going to be very difficult."

Griffin said prisons — and other departments — will likely be asked to cut even more in the next few years. More prison closures are likely, he said.

[iluvaaron710]

Originally Posted by tballa

Just found this site that shows what each state is doing about their budget.

http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=19645

The Michigan Dept. Corrections is conducting pilot programs in some prisons to cut costs, with some sites showing 30% savings. The programs may go statewide October 1st, the beginning of FY 2011.
In the executive budget for FY 2011, the governor proposed the reinstatement of early release for good behavior for Michigan prisoners. Savings for FY 2011 are estimated to be $130 million. Neither legislative chamber has acted on this proposal.


Do we know when legislative branch will act on this proposal?

[AngelBoo]

The Michigan House has approved a new prisons budget that calls for the Department of Corrections to come up with $42 million in unspecified cuts at facilities.
So, where are they going to cut this much money???
Why wont they just sign "Good Time" back in and be done with it!!
Has anyone heard anything about the GT bills??

[RAJustice]

Originally Posted by iluvaaron710

The Michigan Dept. Corrections is conducting pilot programs in some prisons to cut costs, with some sites showing 30% savings. The programs may go statewide October 1st, the beginning of FY 2011.
In the executive budget for FY 2011, the governor proposed the reinstatement of early release for good behavior for Michigan prisoners. Savings for FY 2011 are estimated to be $130 million. Neither legislative chamber has acted on this proposal.


Do we know when legislative branch will act on this proposal?

They aren't going to. The budget has already passed. RA

Department of Corrections
The Department of Corrections (DOC) will receive $2 billion, including $1.9 billion in general fund support, to serve the state's 44,000 prisoners and 81,000 parolees and probationers in fiscal year 2011. The total budget is increased by $10.8 million though general fund support is down $1.3 million.
Though the legislature failed to support many of the governor's proposed reforms which would have resulted in more than $129 million in savings, the budget does recognize $79.2 million in spending reductions. The governor reminded legislators that in the absence of her proposed reforms, the savings targets are very aggressive and will be difficult to achieve but expressed her confidence in the department's ability to continue reducing costs.
"Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the employees in our Corrections department, Michigan's prison population is decreasing, cost savings have been achieved and recidivism is down," said Granholm. "I am disappointed that the legislature, once again, did not take action to examine and revise Michigan's sentencing guidelines to give the department even greater ability to continue implementing reforms without harming public safety."
The governor vetoed an interdepartmental grant in the DOC budget which would have transferred corrections funding to the legislative auditor general, as well as a learning management pilot project which the governor could not support while core departmental functions are being cut.

http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7...4446--,00.html

[iluvaaron710]

So am I reading this correct that the budget is done... we have to cut $42 mil which is gunna make our men suffer cuz they are going to cut in the food area which is already awful and they did not agree to bring back good time? So our men are going to continue to suffer?

[RAJustice]

Originally Posted by iluvaaron710

So am I reading this correct that the budget is done... we have to cut $42 mil which is gunna make our men suffer cuz they are going to cut in the food area which is already awful and they did not agree to bring back good time? So our men are going to continue to suffer?

They increased the portion of the DOC budget that goes to MPRI and parole and probation services so I'd say they plan to release a bunch of people. Reducing overcrowding does benefit those still inside.

And there is always next year. The state was able to balance this years budget because they were given a lot of money from the federal government. If the federal government isn't feeling generous next year and our economy doesn't make a miraculous recovery our state will need to come up with a billion dollars in new revenue or spending cuts. The new Governor, be it Bernero or Snyder, will have to present an executive budget soon after taking office. It's way to early to know what they will propose but I'm listening to them campaign to see which way they lean.

There are two other things going on right now. First, a lot of the people currently in office are lame ducks. After the election but before they leave office they are free to do all kinds of crazy shit without losing votes for thier party. That's when commutations and crazy new laws get passed. Second, the new batch of politicians taking office in Jan. will want to make names for themselves. To do that they will have to get into the papers in a positive way. Think spoiled kids on the first day of head start! So anything could happen.

RA

[Tim's Hope]

Originally Posted by RAJustice

There are two other things going on right now. First, a lot of the people currently in office are lame ducks. After the election but before they leave office they are free to do all kinds of crazy shit without losing votes for thier party. That's when commutations and crazy new laws get passed. Second, the new batch of politicians taking office in Jan. will want to make names for themselves. To do that they will have to get into the papers in a positive way. Think spoiled kids on the first day of head start! So anything could happen.

Boy RA, did you hit the nail on the head. I am so P.O.d right now

I just got a Legislative Update Newsletter in my mailbox today from House Rep. Sharon Tyler whose district I live in AND who is up for re-election with someone running against her. This woman seriously does not know her ass from a hole in the ground. Her specialty area is Agriculture, be she saw fit to put the topic of Truth in Sentencing into her newsletter. Here's what the article says word for word:

Truth-In Sentencing Laws Keep People Safe

The governor's 2011 budget proposal includes a troubling plan to repeal Michigan's three decade old truth-in-sentencing laws and let prisoners out early to save money.

Truth-in-sentencing laws are needed to make sure prisoners actually serve their minimum jail sentence. Prior to these laws, Michigan operated under a "good-time" accelerated parole policy that rewarded prisoners for good behavior by letting them earn credit towards early release. Sounds good, but the good-time program never operated as advertised.

Rather that being a true reward system, prisoners were given credit for good behavior by default and had it taken away only in the most egregious instances. Often, the corrections department was reluctant to take away credit towards early release even when prisoners caused trouble because the department relied on the program to alleviate overcrowding in the prison system.

As a result, prisoners were routinely let out before serving even their minimum sentence and were often arrested for committing crimes again, which was a constant source of frustration to judges, prosecutors, victims and their families. Voters finally decided to put an end to the good-time system in 1978 after several police officers were murdered by criminals who had been let out of jail early.

Truth-in-sentencing laws put a stop to the prison revolving-door. Yes, the budget is tight, but letting dangerous felons back on the street before they've even served their minimum sentence is absolutely the wrong way to go. There will be a long-term cost to society in terms of a higher crime rate and more violence.

First of all Ms. dumbass Tyler, the TIS law was passed in 1998 not 1978. Get your facts straight. Secondly, prisoners were not automatically given good time by default, they had to earn them and they could be taken away too. Thirdly, good time was never used to alleviate overcrowding. The 2000's saw the biggest INCREASE in the prison population in the state, there was not a decrease until the last three years when the state's economy tanked. TIS does not put a stop to the prison revolving door. There will always be crime as long as this world exists and continues to deteriorate. And lastly, re-read the proposed good time bills again. I am quite certain that "dangerous felons" are not on the list to qualify for good time. Better yet go back to the farm where your "special interests" are.

This is what burns me up so much. Politicians that are spreading false information to a generally ignorant public body who don't take the time to check the facts and just believe whatever they are fed. Another House Rep. in my area trying for the Senate is John Proos. He's another assclown that is proposing to cut the inmate food even more that it already has been to save more money and the public is buying it. Mr. Proos, when was the last time you ate on $2.30 per day (that's about 77 cents per meal).

I would highly encourage all of you to write letters to these two idiots and enlighten them on the real facts. I know that most you are not their constituents, but at least they might see that people around the state are outraged by their attitudes.

For those of you who live in Berrien County, these two are NOT the ones to vote for at the polls in November. They are pro-prison and TIS all the way.

*** END VENT SESSION ***

[Tim's Hope]

Originally Posted by Tim's Hope

The 2000's saw the biggest INCREASE in the prison population in the state

Correction, I meant to say the 1990's when Engler was "getting tough on crime" and built more prisons. Sorry, this got me all worked up!