Local officials appear before House Corrections Subcommittee

Ionia Community Corrections Advisory Board Chair Brent Denny, right, and Manager Ron Morseau speak to members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections today.

State Rep. Thomas Albert, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections, today held a hearing to gather input from community correction programs across Michigan, including officials from Ionia County.

“Community Corrections Advisory Boards play a critical role in reducing recidivism and addressing public safety concerns from a local level,” said Albert, of Lowell. “It is imperative we hear the concerns of these boards and their staff in order to continue to lower incarceration rates and use taxpayer dollars wisely.”

Brent Denny, chair of the Ionia Community Corrections Advisory Board, and Manager Ron Morseau both spoke highly of the programs Ionia Community Corrections offers to offenders who qualify for alternative programs. They specifically highlighted the success of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatments, which help participants learn new approaches to problem-solving.

The Ionia representatives expressed concerns about underutilization of programs and the need for the Michigan Department of Corrections to encourage more referrals.

“Ionia County has continued need for specialized programs to help offenders and better our community,” said Albert, who represents part of Ionia County. “I would like to explore ways the state and department can further support the great work our community corrections program is doing.”

Other concerns expressed by speakers included access to offender data from the department as well as the continued need to emphasize local control in program selection.

“The criminal issues facing communities in Michigan are diverse,” said Albert. “Our strategy to address these issues should be more flexible and allow local leaders the ability to focus on what works for their citizens.”

###