Former Corrections Subcommittee Chair Supports MDOC’s budget priorities
LANSING, Mich., March 13, 2025 — The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) presented its executive budget recommendations to the Subcommittee on Corrections and Judiciary today. Highlights from the presentation were reinvestments into programs that former Chair of the Corrections Subcommittee, state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), championed last term.
“I’m very pleased with MDOC’s presentation. They ensured programs that I worked hard to secure funding for last term were within their budget recommendations,” said O’Neal, minority vice chair of the Corrections and Judiciary Subcommittee. “Investing in the right things makes a huge difference in the lives of correction officers and our parolees. We must ensure where we are putting our money is benefiting Michigan as a whole, and these programs do just that.”
The key budget initiatives include $17 million to support costs associated with restructuring the pay schedule for correction officers and another $15 million for a 54-month pay increase for correction officers and supervisors; $6 million for peer recovery coaches; $750,000 for ongoing investments for the bachelor’s degree program, totaling $2 million; $1.5 million in continued funding for staffing at the Thumb Education Center; and $2 million in one-time funding for a new partnership model to increase safe, quality temporary housing for those leaving prison.
“Educational opportunities, peer-to-peer coaching and having a supportive transition from the corrections system back in the community are vital to lowering recidivism rates. I’ve attended several correctional graduations and toured many of our prisons — what I can say confidently is that these programs change lives. I will continue working to reform our criminal justice system and advocating for programs like these that allow growth and opportunity. I was glad to see these smart investments in changing lives for the better today.”