County jails impacted by state budget crisis

MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (11/06/09)--State budget cuts are also affecting county jails now that they won't be reimbursed by the state for housing state prisoners.

County Jail Reimbursement Program funding was vetoed by Governor Jennifer Granholm last month.  The program was put in place 20 years ago as a way to save the state prison system space and money.

"It costs approximately $80 one day in the state facilities," explained Saginaw County's community corrections manager Mary Amend.  "Now it only costs the local jails $43 a day so actually, the county jail can house two offenders for the price of one offender in the state facility."

A study released in September shows the program is cost effective in most instances but the state has questioned whether some counties were taking advantage of the program by enrolling too many prisoners -- including some who were not even prison bound.

Some legislators from southwest Michigan are reportedly trying to override the governor's veto because they say the program does save the state so much money.  A Department of Corrections spokesperson points out the sentencing judge determines if the offender goes to jail or prison and it's expected judges will still be sending state inmates to county jails even if there is no reimbursement.

Amend says the jail in Saginaw County is looking at a roughly $400,000 cut.

"This jail reimbursement fund that was cut in its entirety is almost the same amount that the tax revenue sharing hole is going to create for the county," she said.

Amend also said that could mean jobs cut in Saginaw County.

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governor jennifer granholm, economy, employment, michigan budget, state government, local, lori dougovito

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