At the May ICPJ Steering Committee meeting, the committee voted to support a resolution calling for full funding of the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI). The initiative tries to promote safer communities and reduce recidvism by creating a web of support and services for those in prison, going through reintegration, and during aftercare.
One great way you can support the work of MPRI is to ask your community of faith the endorse the following resolution.
Resolution in Support of Full Funding for the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative
Whereas, over 10,000 people in Michigan every year are released from prison into our communities.
Whereas, of the approximately 200 people who return to Washtenaw County each year over 70% return to prison within two years due to parole violations or upon conviction of new crimes.
Whereas, to help those released from prison to become productive citizens, the state recently established the statewide Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI), designed to promote safe communities and reduce recidivism. MPRI works by creating a web of services and supervision—delivered through state and local collaboration—from the time of a person’s entry into prison through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.
Whereas, over the last year and half, the Steering Committee of the Washtenaw County MPRI program, composed of representatives of law enforcement, human service agencies, and community members has developed a web of services to address critical needs for those reentering the community such as education, housing, employment, relapse prevention, mental health services, and family supports.
Whereas, the goal of our collaborative effort is to reduce the recidivism rate in Washtenaw County by at least 10% in its first year, and by 50% over the next five years. This will not only prevent new crime but it is estimated that the program costs will be offset by savings in its first year and, if successful, will ultimately save more than $3 million a year in terms of the costs of incarcerating people from in Washtenaw County. The per person cost of this plan costs less then 10% of the more than $30,000 per year that it costs to incarcerate someone.
Therefore be it resolved that the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice calls on the Governor, State Legislature, and the Michigan Department of Corrections not to reduce funding for the MPRI program until it has a chance to become successful.
Therefore be it resolved, that should the state legislature and governor decide to significantly increase the number of people being released from prison that County MPRI budgets be proportionally increased so that they can work with this population.
Therefore be it resolved, that the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice calls on Michigan government bodies, human service agencies, and the community at large to work together cooperatively to make this program a success.
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