Although the potential savings would not be realized in time to impact the fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget, a joint panel of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees discussed the possible privatization of entire prisons.
The panel heard testimony from both proponents and opponents of privatization within the corrections systems. Proponents provided evidence of potential cost savings of as much as two-thirds, while opponents decried the move, claiming increased costs, lowered standards and the loss of jobs for union employees.
The Senate panel’s Chair, Senator John Proos (R-St. Joseph), reiterated the Legislature’s top priority of protecting public safety while urging colleagues to keep an open mind to potential cost-saving measures for the state’s largest department.