Is Michigan essentially paying big money for empty beds in prison cells across the state when they could be investing in students, classrooms and road repairs? State Senator John Proos thinks so, as he reveals the serious imbalance projected by Governor Rick Snyder’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Proos tells us that the Governor’s budget includes increases of $100 per student and $1,480 per prisoner over the current budget.
Proos took a look at the numbers and said, “When putting pen to paper I was astounded at the dramatic spike in per-prisoner spending in the governor’s budget plan.” He argues, “Those dollars would be better put to use in our classrooms, on our roads or in the pocketbooks of Michigan taxpayers — not on empty prison beds and buildings.”
Proos says the Senate Fiscal Agency estimated that there will be 3,800 available prison beds at Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities by Oct. 1, 2017. That includes the open beds as a result of the population decline of 1,600 between February 1, 2016 and February 1, 2017.
Proos, who is Chair of the Senate Subcommittee for the Department of Corrections budget says, “The Department of Corrections has been doing a fantastic job at getting prisoners ready for parole and diverting individuals away from our costly prison system.” He notes, “Michigan’s prison population continues to decline, which is good news for the entire state and a positive achievement that we expect to continue.”
However, Proos contends that the dramatic spike in per-prisoner costs further illustrates that the state is funding empty beds and facilities.
The St. Joseph Republican says, “I am also disappointed in lack of criminal justice reform reinvestment in the governor’s plan.” He argues, “Not only did the Senate reduce the per-prisoner facility increase, we invested in reforms that assist individuals as they return to our communities. These investments are consistent with the criminal justice reforms recently signed by the governor.”
Proos says the governor’s budget recommendation actually had a $111 per-prisoner decrease in criminal justice reform reinvestment.
He says, “More than 90-percent of Michigan’s 41,000 prisoners will eventually return to our communities,” adding, “We must invest in their ability to transition into employment and productive members of our society.”
Proos’ Senate DOC budget calls for further in reach of both faith-based communities and employers willing to work with those who are incarcerated.
