The state’s jail and court data will be reviewed under an Executive Order signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday. E.O. 2019-10 forms the Michigan Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, who will review the data to look for expanded alternatives to jail, safely reduce jail admissions and length of stay, and improve the effectiveness of the front end of Michigan’s justice system. To stress the importance of the issue, as well as bipartisan cooperation, several government and court leaders were on hand for the announcement, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Governor Garlic Gilchrist, Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), and Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield (R-Levering). The interbranch, bipartisan task force is tasked with submitting policy recommendations to the governor and the legislature for consideration during the 2020 legislative session. Throughout the review the state will receive technical assistance from the Pew Charitable Trusts to gather and analyze data related to Michigan’s jail populations; assess information regarding Michigan laws, budgetary decisions and county-level practices; and help evaluate how those practices align with legal and constitutional principles.

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack will serve as co-chairs. The task force will include:

• • The Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
  • The Lieutenant Governor
  • Two members nominated by the Chief Justice
  • Two members nominated by the Senate Majority Leader.
  • Two members nominated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  • One member nominated by the Senate Minority Leader
  • One member nominated by the House Minority Leader
  • Two members nominated by the Michigan Association of Counties
  • Two members nominated by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association
  • One member nominated by the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office
  • One member nominated by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
  • One member nominated by the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan
  • One member nominated by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police
  • The Attorney General, or designee from the Department of the Attorney General
  • Two other members appointed by the Governor.

According to the governor’s press release, Michigan’s jail population has nearly tripled in the last 35 years, growing regardless of whether crime was going up or down. Crime is at a 50-year low, but hundreds of thousands are still admitted to jails every year, and people are staying in jail longer on average than before. Additionally, the issue has plagued local government budgets, who are responsible for funding jails at the county level.

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