PONTIAC (AP) - Prosecutors and sheriffs from four large counties are opposing legislation designed to ensure more Michigan inmates are paroled after serving their minimum sentence.
Law enforcement officials joined Attorney General Bill Schuette during a Monday news conference at the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Michael Bouchard and officials in Wayne, Macomb and Genesee counties say they are concerned about public safety and worry lawmakers will shift state costs to local governments.
Recently approved House legislation, now pending in the Senate, would more narrowly define when the parole board can keep prisoners incarcerated beyond their earliest release date. While Schuette calls the proposed change "autopilot release," the board would still have discretion to deny parole.
The bill's supporters say law enforcement is circulating "massive amounts of misinformation" about the legislation.
Published: Wed, Oct 14, 2015
