Citizens Alliance on Prisons & Public Spending

Addressing the social and economic costs of prison expansion

    

Research Reports

Publications based on research conducted  by CAPPS.

Denying parole at first eligibility: How much public safety does it actually buy?  A study of prisoner release and recidivism in Michigan
 

When 'life' did not mean life: A historical analysis of life sentences imposed in Michigan since 1900.
 

Foreign Nationals in Michigan Prisons: an examination of the prison costs.
 

Penny-wise & pound-foolish: Assaultive offender programming and Michigan's prison costs
 

No way out: Michigan's parole board redefines the meaning of 'life'

 


The high cost of denying parole: an analysis of prisoners eligible for release
 

 

EPIC-MRI poll results:  Public supports CAPPS' recommendations

In Focus

 

 

CAPPS testifies on bills on non-parolable life sentences for juveniles.  June 23, 2010  Click here.

 

 

 

CAPPS addresses 2011 MDOC budget

Testimony before House Subcommittee on Corrections Appropriations

May 18, 2010

 
Winter Consensus

MDOC budget, prisoner population edge down but still lock up state resources.

Bills to restore sentence credit spark debate.

CAPPS 10-Point Plan gains traction.

More hearings for lifers, commutations still can’t meet need.

Click here.

 
CAPPS study shows denying parole when people first become eligible does little to reduce crime; those convicted of homicide and sex offenses rarely commit new crimes against people; serving more time does not increase the likelihood of success upon release. Click here for the news release. Click here to read the full report.  Click here to see press coverage.
 

The Sentencing Project reports
downsizing of prison systems in 4 states, including Michigan. 

Changes in parole approval rates; CAPPS perspective on problem cited
Click here to see the report.

See also The State of Sentencing 2009 here.

 

CAPPS Executive Director responds to corrections reform legislation. 
 
See prepared testimony here.

 
Council of State Governments Justice Center recommendations

The Council of State Governments Justice Center has released its long awaited recommendations to reduce corrections spending.

For the complete reports, please click on the links below:

CSG Press Release

CSG Analyses of Crime, Community Corrections, and Sentencing Policies

CSG Policy Options to Deter Crime, Lower Recidivism, and Reduce Corrections Spending

 
CAPPS responds to Justice Center recommendations; offers safe cost-saving alternatives

"While the Justice Center options provide a useful starting point for discussion, they are modest in their vision and their impact."

Click here to review the response.
 

 
News coverage and editorial responses to the Justice Center recommendations. Here.

SB 827 would enact recommendations

●Legislation

●CAPPS testimony

 
CAPPS announces Ten-Point Plan to Reduce Corrections Spending in 2010. (click here).

Comprehensive strategy would:

reserve prison beds for dangerous offenders.

promote successful re-entry.

increase parole rates for those who have served minimum sentences.

save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Conservative recommendations rely on common corrections practices.

 

Presume parole at the minimum, barring objective factors indicating risk, to save the state millions of dollars and to restore fairness to the parole system, says Executive Director Barbara Levine in an opinion piece in the Lansing State Journal.  Click here to read the article.
 
 
 

 Contact CAPPS at: 403 Seymour Ave., Suite 200
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-482-7753
Fax:     517-482-7754
E-Mail: capps@capps-mi.org

 

 

Should sentence credits be restored?

Legislation to restore good time.  Click here

Testimony by Barbara R. Levine, executive director, here

Former MDOC research executive, William Kime, weighs in on issue here

Lansing State Journal presents opposing viewpoints here

State Bar Prisons & Corrections Section supports credits here

Detroit News and Detroit Free Press endorse restoring good time here

National Conference of State Legislatures reports on growth of earned credits nationwide here

 

Increased prisoner releases spark debate

House subcommittee hears early release arguments
ABC Ch. 12, Flint, March 9 2010

Commutations up; governor's action supported, challenged

Prisoner commutations have been rare and safe for public
By Steven C. Liedel, The Detroit Free Press, editorial, Feb. 14, 2010

Granholm makes sensible case for prisoner clemency
The Free Press, editorial, Feb. 10, 2010

Melot: At least governor is trying; prosecutors voluble about paroles, quiet about dollars
By Derek Melot, editorial writer, the Lansing State Journal, Jan. 26, 2010.

Free Press series by Dawson Bell

   
Gov. Granholm releases prisoners at record rate
She has freed 124 -- including killers. 
   
Click here.  Jan. 7, 2010

     Violent felons whose terms were commuted
by Granholm
Click here.
     Jan. 7, 2010

     ● Granholm denies killer's freedom request.
     Click here.
     Feb. 8, 2010

 

Prosecutors fight Michigan's freeing of violent offenders
By Mike Martindale and Mike Wilkinson, The Detroit News, Feb. 26, 2010

Levine: Put perspective on parolee data
Extra years in prison not worth cost

By Barbara Levine, executive director, CAPPS, editorial comment, the Lansing State Journal, Feb. 25, 2010

 


Can Michigan cut its corrections budget by 25 percent?  The $500 million question

The Lansing State Journal began a three-day special report Sept. 13, 2009 that tackles reduction of the size of the state's prison system as a cost-saving measure. CAPPS' positions were given attention in the series, which includes video interviews featuring CAPPS Executive Director Barbara Levine, MDOC Director Patricia Caruso and Sen. Alan Cropsey.  Click here.

 

 
Business groups urge corrections reforms

Detroit Chamber of Commerce recommends steps to reduce the state's prison population.  See here.

Detroit Renaissance plan to reshape state spending includes reducing state's prison population.  See here.