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Applying a Justice Reinvestment Approach to Improve Michigan's Sentencing System: Summary Report of Analyses and Policy Options

NCJ Number
246782
Date Published
May 2014
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report presents a summary of analyses and options for improving the State of Michigan's sentencing system.
Abstract
This report, developed by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center at the request of Michigan's legislators, presents a summary of analyses and options for improving the State's sentencing system. The analysis included an examination of the whether the State's sentencing guidelines achieved their intended goals of proportionality, consistency, and public safety. To determine whether the goals were achieved, the CSG Justice Center analyzed individual data records in 10 State databases that contained information on criminal arrest histories, felony sentencing, prison admissions and releases, probation and parole supervision, risk assessments and community corrections programming, and parole release decisions. Based on the information in these databases, the examination found that 1) there are opportunities to improve consistency and predictability in Michigan's sentencing system; 2) key changes to the system could help reduce recidivism and costs to taxpayers; and 3) State and local officials need better tools to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the sentencing system. Policy options for implementing these changes are discussed. Figures