Bipartisan legislation establishing Productivity Credits for incarcerated individuals was introduced this week. At least 35 other states provide similar opportunities for people in prison to earn credits. The programs are said to reduce recidivism by 14.8% on average.
Key Points:
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- Senate Bills 861 – 864 were introduced by Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), Senator Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville), Senator Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), and Senator Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan).
- The credits are designed to make Michigan safer and more effectively invest tax dollars.
- Productivity Credits would allow eligible prisoners to earn a capped amount of time towards earlier parole consideration by participating in programs proven to reduce the likelihood of re-offense.
- The parole board will continue to make the final decision on when and whether someone should be released, no matter how many programs they have completed.
- Prosecutors and judges retain their discretion.
- People convicted of murder, sex offenses, and human trafficking (roughly 40% of the prison population) will not be eligible to earn Productivity Credits.
- Prosecutors must provide notice to crime victims at the time of sentencing in any case where a person may become eligible to earn Productivity Credits.
Next Step:
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- The bill package was referred to the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Commission for consideration.
