The House Government Operations Committee voted to report House Bill 4090 with recommendation after hearing city officials describe plans to assume operation of the Detroit Detention Center from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Representative Farhat, the bill sponsor, said the transfer would “free up personnel” at MDOC for other facilities and allow the Detroit Police Department (DPD) to operate and staff the facility directly. Tim Stark, representing the city of Detroit, said the city and DPD have been coordinating with MDOC on training and logistics and that the current lease extension is set to expire July 30; the city expects to take over operations on Aug. 1.

Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes of the Detroit Police Department told the committee DPD has begun a hiring campaign and a cross-training schedule. Hayes said DPD currently maintains 24 employees at the location and plans to hire about 75 additional staff; “We will not be pulling any officers off the street to staff, and operate the facility,” Hayes said. He described an operational plan in which DPD staff shadow MDOC personnel and then MDOC will reverse-shadow to confirm procedures.

Representative Ian Harris asked about capacity. City and DPD officials said the facility averages about 1,500 detainees per month and has roughly 150 male beds and 50 female beds. DPD representatives said they expect volumes to remain consistent after conveyance and that the city has budgeted for building maintenance.

Kyle Kaminski of the Michigan Department of Corrections said the MDOC supports the conveyance and that transferring the property would allow the state to reduce its property portfolio and avoid future maintenance obligations. MDOC representative Neil D'Souza said the department would appraise the property after legislation passes. On fiscal impact, MDOC told the committee that operational costs are currently paid by the city, so the transfer would not produce immediate net savings but would reduce long-term state property maintenance responsibilities.

Committee members asked whether existing MDOC employees would be reassigned; MDOC said staff would be reassigned within the system but the city could offer employment to any staff who choose to be hired during the transition. The committee voted 5-0 to report House Bill 4090 with recommendation.