Special report: Maxed out on prison spending
It costs $5 million a day, or $2 billion a year, to run Michigan's prison system, whose population stands at 50,200 and is projected to top 56,000 within five years. Michigan’s incarceration rate is 31 percent higher than the Midwest average. State government leaders have been unable to reach agreement on how to stem rising costs, but the nonpartisan Council of State Governments is heading an effort to help Michigan come up with effective and less expensive strategies for dealing with its law-breakers.
Photo Gallery
Detroit News photographers were allowed access to the Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson and the Ballamy Creek facility near Ionia, for this photo gallery on life in Michigan prisons.
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AP Headlines
Michigan
Jail fewer, group tells Michigan
The startling conclusion of a report issued by the Pew Center on Monday: 7.3 million U.S adults-- one in every 31 -- is under law enforcement supervision today. In Michigan the number is higher still -- one in 27 adults, a four-fold increase since 1992. - 03/03/2009
Earlier prison releases urged
Law enforcement officials Thursday praised proposals for cutting the number of state prison inmates by 5,000 and saving a modest $262 million by 2015. - 01/23/2009
