Criminal Justice Reform Package On Hold

The most controversial piece of a criminal justice reform package conceived in the Michigan House and backed by the governor is most likely on the backburner in the Michigan Senate.

The presumptive parole legislation would allow non-violent prisoners to be released when they’re first eligible to be paroled.

The House passed the bill in the fall but it has sat dormant in the Senate ever since.

Lawmakers backing the bill say some prisoners are overstaying their welcome behind bars and releasing them when it first makes sense to do so could save the state money.

But State Senator John Proos, who is running point on that chambers criminal justice reform package, says over half of the people who are still in prison after their earliest release date do get out about six months later so he believes any cost savings claims don’t hold water.

He’s also concerned violent offenders could get out earlier than they’re supposed to.

Ultimately it comes down to support, and Proos says there doesn’t appear to be enough to advance the proposal in the Michigan Senate.