MICHIGAN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

House Bill 5800

Sponsor:  Rep. Goeff Hansen

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 6-13-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5800 AS INTRODUCED 3-1-2006

The bill would amend the Corrections Code (MCL 791.220g)  to provide for the reuse of the Michigan Youth Correctional Facility, located in Webber Township, Lake County, if it no longer housed prisoners under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections (DOC).  The bill would allow the private vendor that operates the facility to use it for the housing, custody, and care of detainees or inmates from other local, state, or federal agencies.  The arrangement could be made by 1) directly contracting with those entities, or 2) by entering into an interlocal agreement between one or more of the entities and the village of Baldwin in Webber Township.  In turn, the village could contract with the private vendor to provide services under the terms of the interlocal agreement subject to the following restrictions:

·                    Include in any contract a requirement that the operation of the facility comply with applicable standards of the American Correctional Association and that personnel employed by the private vendor in the operation of the facility meet the applicable employment and training requirements of those standards.

·                    Require any serious incidents to be immediately reported to the DOC and to local law enforcement agencies.

·                    Allow the DOC to inspect and review the facility's operations at any time.

Personnel employed by the private vendor who met the employment requirements outlined above would have full authority to perform their duties and responsibilities under law, including, but not limited to, exercising the use of force in the same manner and to the same extent as would be authorized if employed in a DOC-operated correctional facility.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no direct fiscal implications for the state or local units of government. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Marilyn Peterson

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.