95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Anti-recidivism bills clear House, will soon reach governor

Jail cell
Pixabay | CC BY 3.0
/
pixabay.com

Michigan lawmakers have approved legislation that aims to keep 100,000 criminals who are under state supervision from breaking the law again.

The 20-bill package passed by the House Wednesday limits the length of incarceration for offenders who violate their probation and creates a more intensive parole program.

Backers are hoping the measures in part will save money.

The legislation also would officially define what recidivism means.

The bills cleared the Senate last month and should reach Gov. Rick Snyder quickly once the Senate OKs changes Thursday.

The House's main revision was dropping a proposed requirement to house younger prisoners together instead of with older inmates. The House failed to pass a Senate measure that would give employers a grant for hiring ex-felons, but it could try again later.