The state plans to close another prison next year. Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz says the closure comes as crime in the state and the prison population continue to dwindle. It’s not yet clear which prison will close. Jobs will be lost, but he predicts not many.
“In the last two closures, it’s been roughly 500 to 600 employees that worked at those two prisons,” said Gautz. “In the end, roughly 50 to 70 ended up losing their jobs because we have so many vacancies around the state that people were able to fill other positions.”
The closure is expected to save the state $20 million. It came about through a House-Senate conference committee agreement on Tuesday.
