May 2017
Peter Ruark, Senior Policy Analyst
After peaking in 2006, Michigan’s prisoner population has decreased by nearly 20%, and prison-related costs have decreased and flattened during that time. The Department of Corrections budget is almost entirely funded with state general funds, and total spending is expected to remain at approximately $2 billion in 2018. Around $1.6 billion, or almost 80%, of the current budget for the Department of Corrections is used for custody, housing, healthcare, treatment programs and academic/vocational programs for prisoners.
PRISON OPERATIONS
The governor funds prison operations at a total of approximately $1.2 billion, spread across the state’s 29 prison facilities and including regional support systems for those facilities.
- The Senate cuts $41.6 million from prison operations, with the rationale that as prison populations are decreasing, prison spending should decrease as well.
- The House agrees with the governor’s funding level.
The League encourages the state to do what it can to reduce the prison population and supports responsible adjustments in corrections funding that correspond to such long-term reductions. The League is concerned, however, that the Senate proposal cuts too much too soon, and that the magnitude of the cut could lead prisons to reduce important services such as healthcare, training and rehabilitation.
INCARCERATION ALTERNATIVES
Residential Alternative to Prison Program: In 2015, probation violators made up 28.3% of Michigan’s prison intake. The Wayne Residential Alternative to Prison program provides low-risk probation violators an opportunity to avoid going to prison and instead enter a residential program in which they receive occupational training and cognitive behavioral programming. The governor’s budget continues funding this program at $500,000, and adds $1.5 million to replicate it in 13 counties on the west side of the state.
- The Senate does not include funding for either the Wayne County or Westside Residential Alternative to Prison programs.
- The House concurs with the governor’s spending on both programs.
The League encourages efforts to help probation violators avoid prison and instead receive occupational skills training and rehabilitative services in a residential setting, and supports the continuation of the Wayne County program and the implementation of the Westside program.
OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING
Many incarcerated individuals do not have occupational skills that enable them to acquire gainful employment upon their release. Providing occupational training in the prisons increases the likelihood that returning residents will become employed and decreases their likelihood of recidivism and the need for public services and assistance.
Vocational Village: The governor maintains $2 million in state funding for the Vocational Village program for 200 prisoners in Jackson. The program trains prisoners in the skilled trades, enabling them to earn nationally recognized certificates before returning to their communities.
- The Senate and House concur with the governor.
Goodwill Flip the Script: The governor eliminates funding for the Flip the Script program operated by Goodwill Industries in Wayne County. The program has been funded since the 2015 budget year, and provides education, job training and mentoring to 16- to 39-year-olds who have entered the criminal justice system—with the goal of keeping them out of the prison system.
- The Senate budget doubles funding for this program to $3 million.
- The House retains the current funding level of $1.5 million.
The League believes that occupational skills training programs are key to helping former prisoners reintegrate into mainstream society and attain gainful employment that helps their families become economically secure. The League supports funding for training programs that have been shown to work, and expansions of successful programs to reach more of the incarcerated population.
HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES
Between the 2002 and 2016 budget years, corrections spending overall increased at an average annual rate of 1%, while funding for prisoner healthcare and mental health services grew by nearly 3%.
Hepatitis C Treatment: The current budget has $14.9 million appropriated for drug treatment of prisoners with Hepatitis C. The governor has requested an additional $13.9 million from the current year Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) budget to expand this program. Assuming the DHHS transfer goes through, the governor reduces the 2018 corrections appropriation for this program by $3.19 million, to $11.7 million, bringing the total funding for Hepatitis C treatment to $25.6 million.
- The Senate reduces the 2018 corrections appropriation to $4.9 million, for a total of $18.8 million if the transfer is approved.
- The House reduces the 2018 corrections appropriation to $6.7 million, for a total of $20.5 million if the transfer is approved.
Cancer Treatment: For 2018, the governor’s budget adds $2.3 million for oncology treatment for a total of $73.9 million, reflecting the fact that the number of inmates treated for cancer increased by 48% from 2015 to 2016, and that growth is expected to continue.
- The Senate and House concur with the governor on cancer treatment funding.
Mental Health Services: The governor increases mental health services by $778,000 for the 2018 budget year, for a total of $61.2 million.
- The Senate and House concur with the governor on mental health services funding.
Substance Abuse Testing and Treatment Services: The governor provides a very small increase of $5,700 to cover a net increase in costs for salary and wage increases, for a total of $21.6 million.
- The Senate and House concur with the governor on substance abuse services funding.
The League supports adequate funding for healthcare, mental health and substance abuse services. Lack of adequate funding for these services endangers the well-being of incarcerated individuals and poses a greater burden on their families when they reenter mainstream society.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
