$2 Billion Dollars of MI Taxes Spent on Corrections
Today, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) is the largest program that state government operates directly, accounting for nearly 20 percent ($2 billion) of the current discretionary General Fund budget and employing nearly one-third of the classified workforce. Corrections programs growth is a direct result of the dramatic increase in the number of inmates from 1973 to 2007, during which time the population grew 538 percent, or roughly 42,000 prisoners, to 50,000 inmates. Official MDOC projections reflect a continuation of the historical trends over the next five years as the prison population is estimated to be slightly more than 56,000 by the end of 2012.
On Saturday, March 17, 2008, the 5th Annual Jasmine Miles Memorial “Walk of Stars” was held. Anna Williams (red sweater) and Nancy Thelen (not shown), who are avid quilters at the Capital City Quilts, 635 S. Waverly Rd., Suite F, Lansing MI 48917 made a quilt for Michelle Miles (yellow shirt) out of material with a lilac print. Rina Risper (far right) spoke about the quilt.
