State program to help parolees faces questions

LANSING (AP) -- Critics say a program aimed at reducing the number of ex-cons committing new offenses and ending up back behind bars may be underestimating the number of parolees who get into trouble. The Detroit News reports that an audit of Michigan Department of Corrections' Prisoner Re-entry Initiative found other problems including overcharging vendors for services and allowing conflicts of interest between contractors and subcontractors. Russ Marlan, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections, says the state isn't misrepresenting the numbers. Barb Hankey, an Oakland County community services manager who sat on program's review panel in the spring, says some parolees sent to local jails for new crimes may not be counted in the state's numbers. Hankey says they're not considered repeat offenders. Published: Tue, Jun 28, 2011