Americans for Prosperity Supports Michigan Jails Task Force Report Findings, Recommendations
LANSING, Michigan – Americans for Prosperity-Michigan (AFP-MI) announced its support for recommendations offered in a report released today from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration. The grassroots group supports the work by the task force to analyze jails across Michigan and develop legislative recommendations for consideration during the 2020 session.
Americans for Prosperity-Michigan State Director, Annie Patnaude issued the following statement:
“We have a lot of work to do here in Michigan to ensure our criminal justice system is one that builds strong and safe communities and recognizes the potential in every individual to improve their lives. This report offers several, actionable, recommendations that will move our system closer to that ideal. We look forward to working with lawmakers this session to get substantial criminal justice reforms over the finish line in 2020.”
The report highlights several areas that AFP supports the legislature addressing, including:
- Michigan’s county jail population has tripled in recent years. This is due to lack of alternatives to jail and increased incarceration of those sentenced after conviction. AFP supports the development of better practices in the pre and post-trial process so that Michigan can safely reduce jail populations.
- One quarter of Michigan jails are populated by individuals with serious mental illness. These individuals need treatment, not jail.
- Low level offenses are a main driver of rising jail populations. More alternatives are necessary to focus resources on those that need to be there due to public safety concerns.
