LANSING—- The Department of Corrections announced to the public today that they were planning to close the Ryan Correctional Facility in Detroit and reopen a prison in Muskegon. The surprise move was announced to the Michigan Corrections Organization membership today as well. Senator Glenn S. Anderson (D-Westland), the Democratic Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections in Michigan was critical of the decision.

“This decision is completely irresponsible, makes no sense when we are attempting to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Michigan's prison system, and very well may jeopardize public safety,” said Anderson. “The Ryan Facility and Mound facilities are two of the newest facilities in the state and they are positioned in a highly efficient location to serve Michigan's prison system. The closure will mean having to ship 1,000 prisoners across the state and the loss of jobs in Southeast Michigan. The only justification for these shut downs at first glance is that this closure and relocation to the Muskegon facility is another attack on Detroit. This will displace almost 200 people at the Ryan facility, which means less dollars in the local economy. Moving 1,000 prisoners across the state will almost certainly cause prison discipline problems and be extremely expensive.”

The Department says it would re-open Ryan as a parole violators housing facility due to an increased crack-down on parole violators in the Detroit area.

“Although there is a need in for a parole violation facility in Detroit, it would make much more sense to place this facility at the recently closed Mound facility, Senator Anderson said. That facility is perfectly positioned to take on the role of processing parole violators and facilitating prisoner re-entry. The Republican majority claims that they will save money but the state will likely be paying much more for this decision.

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