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Balancing Our Priorities:
Can We Safely Spend Less on Corrections?
Materials from the May 8, 2009 Program
are now available at this link
Click here for the Program
Faced with an ever-deepening fiscal crisis, Michigan is searching for ways to reduce the $1.9 billion budget of the Department of Corrections. The decision of the Granholm administration to parole more people who have served their minimum terms has been criticized by some as a threat to public safety. Corrections employees and communities where prisons are located oppose facility closings. Legislators are sharply divided between those who want to reduce the prison population and those who want to privatize prison services. Community-based programs proven to reduce crime are starved for funds.
On May 8, 2009 the Prisons & Corrections Section presented an updated and expanded version of its similar program in 2008 that was co-sponsored with four other organizations. The symposium ran from 8:30 a.m. –2:30 p.m., and was open to members of the criminal justice community, including defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, probation and parole staff, treatment personnel, community service providers and members of law enforcement.
The morning portion of the program focused on population reduction strategies, including those currently being employed, additional alternatives, risk assessment and rehabilitation, and the prosecutor’ perspective. The afternoon portion addressed investing in prevention. Speakers discussed the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative, mental health and substance abuse treatment, community corrections and creative jail programs, and removing barriers to reentry. A wide variety of viewpoints were represented.
The Prisons and Corrections Section of the State Bar of Michigan analyzes issues affecting prisons, jails and community-based corrections and engages in public education. It is also designed to be a forum for the cross-professional exchange of ideas, so membership is open to non-attorney criminal justice professionals.
The conference program and registration form are linked above. The speakers’ presentation materials will be linked on this page in the near future.
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