LANSING, Mich. (April 22, 2026) — Today, Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections and Judiciary have successfully passed their budget recommendations for the Dept. of Corrections (MDOC) and the Michigan court system, advancing crucial investments to increase public safety and ensure a fair, effective legal process statewide.
“Ensuring Michigan is a just place for every resident remains the driving factor for each of these critical budget decisions,” said Sen. Shink, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections and Judiciary. “I’m proud to advance these vital investments through the Senate, which would provide support for our hardworking corrections officers, continue programming to reduce recidivism, and protect constitutional rights. This is about keeping our people and communities safe, and ensuring Michiganders have a fair shot in our court systems.”
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Providing funding for corrections officer pensions to promote staff retention and recruitment;
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Preserving higher education programming (MiCHEP) in correctional facilities to reduce recidivism;
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Funding for reentry programming, paving the way for offender success;
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Ensuring residents’ access to the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO), solidifying their constitutional right to due process;
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Continuing support for the case management system, increasing court efficiency; and
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Operating more than 200 problem-solving courts, which address the problems that led to people breaking the law, in offenses involving substance abuse, mental health treatment, veterans, and more.