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MI lawmakers advance, introduce new prison reforms

Jail cells photo
Julie, Dave & Family
/
flickr creative commons

We talk with Barbara Levine of the Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending about prison reforms being considered in Lansing.

Criminal justice reform has long been a hot topic in Michigan. Prison sentences in this state are among the longest in the country, and Michigan spends a large amount of its general fund budget, about 20 percent, on corrections programs. Now, some of these issues are moving in the Michigan Legislature.

The House recently approved a nearly 20 bill package that addresses juvenile sentencing and medical parole guidelines.  A similarly-sized package of bills has just been introduced in the Michigan Senate, many of which pertain to parole rules.

Current State speaks with Barbara Levine, associate director of research and policy for the Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending (CAPPS).

Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
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