The Michigan Department of Corrections would be asked to identify two state prisons that could be closed under a Senate subcommittee budget approved this week. Senator John Proos, Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections, says lawmakers have noticed Michigan’s prison population dropping, which means there’s room for savings.
“We’ve been watching closely the population numbers at the department of corrections, and have recognized significant decreases in the population overall,” Proos told WSJM. “We have nearly 3,500 beds currently open, and that number will balloon to almost 4,000 beds by the beginning of this next fiscal year.”
Proos says shutting down 2 prisons could save the state $46 million each year, freeing up money for programs to help those who have recently been released from prison. His subcommittee is putting forth the recommendation as legislative Republicans work to put together an overall state spending plan by the end of May.
