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Committee hears bill to let MDOC provide reentry supports to resentenced individuals discharged immediately
Summary
House Bill 4211 would authorize the Michigan Department of Corrections to provide reentry services (IDs, vital records, transitional housing and related supports) to a subset of resentenced individuals who are immediately discharged following resentencing. MDOC and local reentry partners testified in support.
Mary Frank, legislative director for Representative Amos O'Neil, introduced House Bill 4211, explaining the bill would allow the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) to provide reentry services to individuals who, after resentencing, are immediately discharged from custody rather than remaining under MDOC jurisdiction.
Kyle Kaminski of the MDOC testified the department supports the bill because it permits MDOC to apply existing reentry infrastructure to a group of cases it cannot currently serve: people who are processed for immediate discharge following resentencing. Kaminski said MDOC is not requesting additional funds and would use existing reentry resources and community partners to provide IDs, birth certificates, transitional housing and other supports to reduce the risks posed by immediate discharge.
Angie Sprank of West Central Michigan Works described a regional program that has provided wraparound reentry services to resentenced juvenile lifers and reported that, of ten individuals assisted through that program, nine remained successful in the community (one subsequently died). She said many of these individuals lack family supports and basic administrative documents after decades in prison and that providing reentry services makes communities safer and reduces strain on local services.
Priscilla Bordeo of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice also supported the bill, saying victims want safe transitions and that MDOC assistance with ID, housing and medical care can help people return to the community with supports that reduce recidivism.
Committee members thanked witnesses and moved on to other agenda items; no committee vote on HB4211 appeared in the transcript excerpt.
