LANSING, Mich. (May 7, 2024) — Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) has introduced Senate Bill 861 as part of the Safer Michigan Act (SB 861–864), a bipartisan package of bills that will establish Productivity Credits, a proven safety strategy. Productivity Credits are designed to make Michigan safer and to more effectively invest our tax dollars in proven strategies that reduce crime, address the needs of current victims, and reduce the number of victims in the future.
“Productivity Credits incentivize prisoners to rehabilitate and lead meaningful lives after their time is served,” said Sen. Irwin. “The Safer Michigan Act will enable rehabilitation programs that are proven to reduce recidivism while also requiring additional safety measures to be put in place for past victims of crime. I’m proud to stand by thousands of crime victims, as well as law enforcement, business leaders, and faith groups in Michigan, who have already voiced their support for the Safer Michigan Act.”
“Every Michigander deserves to live and work in a safe community; this is especially true for those who have been victims of crimes in the past,” said Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville), lead sponsor of SB 862. “It is critical that we preserve the rights of crime victims to know how long their perpetrators will serve before they can become eligible for parole. At the same time, we must proactively improve prisoner rehabilitation to reduce repeat crime and make our state safer for all.”
“Productivity Credits that incentivize people in prison to complete rehabilitation programs benefit everyone,” said Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), lead sponsor of SB 863. “By helping people become connected to, rather than marginalized from, the communities they’re returning to, we create safer neighborhoods. The Safer Michigan Act prioritizes the concerns of crime victims by giving them a voice in the process.”
“If we are going to reduce crime, we must stop repeat crime,” said Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Twp.), who is the lead sponsor of SB 864. “Prisoners who complete Productivity Credits are better prepared to return to their communities as engaged, employed members of society who do not re-offend and create new victims. This program offers a strong incentive to complete programming that has been proven to reduce reoffending.”
Most of the people in Michigan’s prison system will be returning to their communities and families. The question is whether they will return better or worse, more likely or less likely to reoffend. The Safer Michigan Act would help reduce reoffending and prepare people sentenced to prison for return to their communities.
Productivity Credits only apply to future sentences and ensure that victims are notified every step of the way. They are not applied retroactively.
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Productivity Credits would allow eligible prisoners to earn a capped amount of time towards earlier parole consideration by participating in programs proven to reduce the likelihood of re-offense.
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The parole board will continue to make the final decision on when and whether someone should be released, no matter how many programs they have completed.
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Prosecutors and judges retain their discretion.
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People convicted of murder, sex offenses, and human trafficking (roughly 40% of the prison population) will not be eligible to earn Productivity Credits.
Additionally, Productivity Credits have no impact on truth-in-sentencing. Prosecutors must provide notice to crime victims at the time of sentencing in any case where a person may become eligible to earn Productivity Credits so victims can have certainty of the minimum amount of time someone will serve before they are eligible for release.
The Safer Michigan Act is Supported by Crime Victims
“Victims want a corrections system that prioritizes rehabilitation,” said Priscilla Bordayo, Michigan state manager for Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) and a sexual assault survivor. “We want a system that gives the people who hurt us and our families a pathway to a better future. Because if they can reintegrate into the community and contribute, then we’re all safer. A corrections system that relies on punishment alone doesn’t protect the communities that many prisoners will ultimately come home to. Productivity Credits can help stop cycles of crime by prioritizing rehabilitation.”
“As a crime survivor, knowing that people in prison are spending their time wisely and preparing for a future where they contribute to their communities when they return makes me feel safer,” said Elle Travis, CSSJ Detroit Chapter Coordinator.
Rehabilitation programs for prisoners are broadly supported by victims of crime across the state. Eight in 10 crime survivors in Michigan support reducing prison sentences and three out of four believe rehabilitation, drug and mental health treatment are more effective at preventing future crimes. The full report can be viewed here.
The Safer Michigan Act Is a Proven Public Safety Solution
Michigan would not be the first state to adopt this approach. At least 35 other U.S. states (70% of the country) provide similar opportunities for people in prison to earn credits, including Texas, Florida, Alabama and Georgia, among others. These programs have reduced recidivism by 14.8% on average.