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October 01, 2009
MI: State Senate Votes to Cut Some Prison Spending including closing some prisons and cutting food, education for prisoners
State Senate votes to cut prison spending
Associated Press • September 30, 2009
LANSING — The Republican-led Michigan Senate has voted to cut prison spending hours before a deadline to address a $2.8 billion state budget deficit.
The 5% cut approved 23-14 tonight would be met partly by completing a previously announced plan to close prisons and prison camps. Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s administration has been paroling more inmates to save money.
It costs more than $32,000 a year to incarcerate a prisoner. Lawmakers want the $2 billion Corrections Department to reduce costs by more than $800 per inmate by saving on things like prisoners’ prescription drugs, educational classes, legal services and food.
The bill already has passed the Democratic-controlled House. The Senate so far has put off votes letting budget bills take effect Thursday.
http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20090930/NEWS05/90930019/0/news05/State-Senate-votes-to-cut-prison-spending
Posted by lois at October 1, 2009 06:33 PM