Michigan Marks Historically Low Rates of Returns to Prison

 This past week, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) announced that Michigan's recidivism rate (the rate of re-offenses resulting in a return to prison within three years of release) is at a historic low. Following several years of decline, Michigan's recidivism rate is now at 26.6%, placing Michigan among the best in the nation. 

For years, the national recidivism rate has stood at 66%. While this number has probably dropped nationwide in recent years, Michigan's current rate is noteworthy. But we must ask why Michigan's rate is so low. Several factors, in reality, play into this historically low recidivism rate in Michigan. In no particular order, these include: 

1. Decreases in crime rates over recent years. This national trend is also happening in Michigan, despite some upticks in the last year (probably related to stress caused by Covid-19 restrictions). 

2. Changing parole laws. Over the last two years, especially, the Michigan legislature has passed several changes in the Department's treatment of parolees. Fewer parolees are returning to prison for technical violations; instead, community-based solutions are utilized in an effort to address the complexities and struggles many returning citizens face when leaving prison. 

3. Increased focus on education. Over the last five years, the MDOC has partnered with several colleges and universities to offer post-secondary education for prisoners. Implementation of Vocational Villages in order to train returning citizens with vocational trades has also expanded educational opportunities. As the often-quoted RAND Corporation research has shown, education is directly correlated with a reduction in re-offense rates. 

4. Better re-entry services. Over the last several years, Michigan has focused heavily on re-entry services for returning citizens. Prisoners now leave prison with a birth certificate and state ID. With the help of the MDOC, some Vocational Village graduates leave prison with jobs already lined up. Community-based services (both private and government-sponsored) for returning citizens are more robust, and these services directly address the many challenges returning citizens are known to experience. 

Each of these factors contribute to Michigan's historically low recidivism rate, and Michigan citizens should be proud of the work legislators and corrections leadership have put in to make these changes happen. Lower recidivism rates means fewer victims of crime, which means safer communities. 

Changing outdated and harmful corrections philosophies has led to greater success in reducing re-offense rates. As Michigan continues to work towards higher success for its returning citizens, it is time for the legislature or citizens to act on good time legislation, and eliminate prosecutorial immunity and mandatory minimum sentences. Now is the time to act on changing these and other outdated and harmful philosophies that have led to high incarceration rates in Michigan and nationwide.