|
Appropriations Summary |
Actual[54] |
Recommended |
Savings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interdepartmental Grants: |
$6,628,700 |
$6,628,700 |
0 |
|
Federal Funds: |
$5,546,900 |
$5,546,900 |
0 |
|
State General Fund/General Purpose: |
$1,268,796,000 |
$989,162,316 |
$279,633,684 |
|
Special Revenue Funds: |
$34,119,200 |
$34,119,200 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Appropriation: |
$1,315,090,800 |
$1,035,457,116 |
$279,633,684 |
The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDC) administers
Michigan's adult prison, probation, and parole systems. Currently, the state
operates 30 penal facilities and a number of correction camps.
The MDC has grown like no other state department over the
past 15 years. Total staffing for the department grew from 4,921 in 1980 to
16,803 in 1995; and funding increased from $172 million to over $1.3 billion
during the same period.[55] And unless substantive changes are made, the
department's budget will continue to spiral out of control.
Fortunately, there is one very fundamental change that
could be implemented within the next fiscal year that would dramatically alter
the current state of events--the privatization of correctional facilities.
Several states have experienced significant cost savings from the privatization
of prisons (including maximum security facilities) with no evidence of decreased
quality. Michigan should follow the leads of these states and privatize the
management of its facilities immediately.
