|
|
| Michigan Corrections to close Mound facility, cut 2000 workers |
| By detnews.com - Paul Egan |
| Published: 09/29/2011 |
|
Lansing — The Corrections Department said Wednesday it will cut 2,000 employees by closing a Detroit prison and privatizing medical services. The plan is expected to save the department about $50 million next year and an additional $12 million to $13 million in 2013, director Dan Heyns said. The plan includes: Closing in January the Mound Correctional Facility in Detroit, which houses more than 1,000 prisoners. Taking bids to run the Woodland Correctional Facility in Whitmore Lake, a medical prison where the most seriously mentally ill prisoners are housed. Bidding out prison medical and mental health services statewide. These are "pretty drastic measures," Heyns said, adding he's sensitive to the impact on employees, communities and prisoners' families, but "closing a prison … ought to be a cause for celebration." Mel Grieshaber, executive director of the 7,500-member Michigan Corrections Organization, said the plan "stinks" and the projected savings don't make sense. The prisons budget of nearly $2 billion has been a major target of state lawmakers looking for cuts because it nearly all comes from state revenue, rather than federal subsidies. Heyns said the plan was developed as a contingency during talks with unions to find $145 million in employee cost savings. But he decided it makes sense to implement it regardless of the outcome of negotiations, he said. Read More. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think