Michigan Department of Corrections Director Dan Heyns announced major changes to the State’s corrections operations Wednesday, including the closure of one facility. Under the plan, the Mound Correctional Facility in Detroit Whitmore Lake
Officials claim the plan will save $50 million in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which begins Saturday, and roughly $62 million for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. An estimated 2,000 of Michigan ’s nearly 16,000 Department of Corrections’ employees would potentially be affected by the changes, largely stemming from a significant decline in the Michigan
The Department of Corrections, like other state departments, was asked to develop contingency plans if the state was unsuccessful in negotiating $145 million in concessions from employees for the upcoming fiscal year. The announced changes originated from this exercise; however, Director Heyns made it clear the changes are no-longer related to success in concession negotiations, or lack thereof.
Reactions from members of the Legislature were mixed, as expected. Republicans, including House Appropriations Corrections Subcommittee Chair Representative Joseph Haveman (R-Holland) and Speaker of the House Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) were encouraged by the announcements. Meanwhile, many Democrats, including those representing the area of the City of Detroit where the facility lies, Rep. John Olumba (D-Detroit) and Senator Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park