Corrections Spending out of Control

By: Andrea Bommarito

Here are some numbers to think about. $2.08 billion: This is how much money the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) spends annually. $1.9 billion: This is the portion of those expenditures that come from the general fund. And finally, 538 percent: This is how much corrections spending has increased in the last 34 years. If the MDOC continues spending as they are, it is projected that they will reach over $2.6 billion in spending by 2012. As of right now, Michigan is one of only four states where the state spends more on corrections than higher education.

Many groups and businesses across the state support structural reforms to our state budget to increase savings. One of these groups, the Detroit Regional Chamber, has presented a goal to the state to cut correctional spending by $500 million.

Oakland County Sherriff and Republican gubernatorial candidate, Mike Bouchard, has already introduced a few ways that MDOC can cut spending. He has even facilitated some of these practices in his county jails. At a press conference last month he outlined his actions.

“As Sheriff in Oakland County, I competitively bid for inmate food services in the jail,” Bouchard said. “This stand-alone item saves Oakland County taxpayers $1.6 million every year.”

If this process was facilitated in the 49 prisons statewide, we could save nearly $40 million annually.

Another way that Bouchard and the state of Michigan can cut MDOC spending is by re-introducing the ‘good time’ credit, where inmates can be released earlier by receiving these credits. It was previously used in the state until the late 1970s. To receive these ‘good time’ credits, inmates would have to receive their GED, Associates Degree or any other achievement that would increase the probability that the inmate would be a productive member of society. If 3,000 inmates gained these credits and were released early, the corrections department would save nearly $100 million.

By introducing and facilitating just these two practices in our prison systems, we can save the MDOC and the state almost $140 million annually. Bouchard is largely in favor of instating these programs across the state.

“I suggested to the Granholm/Cherry administration that they do the same with the corrections department as I did with my Oakland County jails,” Bouchard said. “I never even received a no thank you letter.”

With the right leadership and programs we can cut spending and help to return Michigan to its prosperous days.