ADOPTED - MARCH 10, 2009

Agenda Item No. 26

Introduced by the Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS (CSG) REPORT ON REFORM OF THE

MICHIGAN’S CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM

RESOLUTION #09-067

WHEREAS, the Council of State Governments (CSG) recently released a report after a year long analysis of Michigan’s correctional system; and

WHEREAS, the goal was to reduce crime in Michigan while providing a cost savings in the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) budget; and

WHEREAS, the report recommends strong measures to reduce recidivism by targeting high risk probationers and investing in Community Corrections programming to provide appropriate community-based interventions for this population, as well as streamlining the Michigan parole system to safely save the state taxpayers’ dollars; and

WHEREAS, Ingham County is concerned that any initiative to further revise State of Michigan Sentencing Guidelines with the goal of reducing the prison population will continue to increase the burden on local units of government that struggle with already overcrowded county jails and potentially compromise public safety.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners urges the legislature and the Governor to adopt the measures contained within the Council of State Governments (CSG) report to reduce recidivism by improving risk assessment, investing in Community Corrections programming that targets high risk probationers, as well as streamlining the Michigan State parole system to save state taxpayers’ dollars and maintain adequate public safety.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners opposes major sentencing guideline reforms that will compound the current problems of overcrowded county jails and potentially compromise public safety in our communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to Governor Jennifer Granholm, the Ingham County state legislative delegation, the Michigan Sheriffs Association and the Michigan Association of Counties.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:  Yeas:  Schor, Holman, Celentino, Copedge, Thomas, Schafer

        Nays:  None           Absent:  None        Approved 2/26/09

JUDICIARY:  Yeas:  Bahar-Cook, McGrain, Thomas, Koenig, Nolan, Schafer

        Nays:  None           Absent:  None        Approved 2/26/09