PRISONERS 18-22 YEARS OLD:  HOUSE TOGETHER

Senate Bill 22 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Bert Johnson

House Committee:  Michigan Competitiveness

Senate Committee:  Michigan Competitiveness

Complete to 2-8-17

SUMMARY:

The bill adds a new section to the Corrections Code to require the Department of Corrections (DOC), unless there are specific circumstances preventing it from doing so, to do both of the following:

v  Ensure that prisoners approximately 18 to 22 years of age are housed only with prisoners in the same approximate age range.

v  Ensure that such prisoners are housed in the same correctional facilities.  "Correctional facilities" means a facility operated by the DOC, or by a private entity under a contract with the department, that houses prisoners who are under the department's jurisdiction.

The bill also requires the DOC to provide programming designed for youth rehabilitation to the extent it is able. The department must consult with the administrators of the family divisions of the circuit courts and seek recommendations regarding the selection of programming designed for youth rehabilitation.

The DOC must submit an annual report to the Senate and House committees responsible for legislation concerning corrections issues detailing the extent to which the housing requirements have been implemented.

The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

MCL 791.62d, proposed

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the state and no fiscal impact on local units of government. The fiscal impact to the state would depend on the costs involved with reorganizing the current prison population and restructuring current correctional facilities to establish housing for all 18- to 22-years olds in the same facilities.  According to the Department of Corrections, as of February 1, 2017, there were roughly 3,200 prisoners aged 18 to 22 who would need to be housed according to provisions contained in the bill. In addition, there could be costs to the state for programming that is designed specifically for youth rehabilitation, according to recommendations made by circuit courts.  Under the bill, the department would be required to consult with the family divisions of circuit courts for recommendations on this specific programming. It is not known to what extent current department programming would meet the recommendations made by circuit courts.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.