The new Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center (RGC) is now in full swing. Since its July 2002 opening, the center has handled the processing for all new male prisoners including youthful offenders. Previously, the prisoners were processed and housed in Seven Block at the State Prison of Southern Michigan

The new reception center acts as the main intake point for all male prisoners with new sentences and those who have violated their parole and are being sent back to prison. Between 200 and 300 male prisoners enter or re-enter the system each week at the intake center. Here the prisoners are classified and await transfer to an appropriate facility or camp.

“In developing the intake center, we incorporated the existing process utilized at the reception center in Seven Block with some new concepts,” said RGC Warden Nick Ludwick.

“Staff from the State Prison of Southern Michigan (SMI) brought their expertise and experience to Egeler when SMI was closed and they assisted in training our staff to receive and process prisoners,” Ludwick continued.

“Prisoners complete the intake process within 10 business days of their arrival at Egeler. Upon completion of their reception testing, they are transferred to Seven Block at the Egeler Annex where they are housed until a general population bed is available within the agency,” said Ludwick.

Additionally, education testing is now more comprehensive and helps the department make better placement decisions. The TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) is administered to measure the prisoner’s achievements in individual reading and math skills. Prisoners are given medical tests, psychological assessments and vocational tests. They are photographed and classified. Prisoners who appear to be in need of further evaluation and possible intervention are scheduled for an interview by a staff psychologist.

Prisoners convicted of certain types of crimes, such as criminal sexual misconduct, are automatically scheduled for an interview by a psychologist. The interview may result in a recommendation for therapy or counseling.

A review is made of all the material collected about the prisoner, including the presentence report. A classification committee, which includes a custody staff member, makes the final decision at what level (there are six classifications levels— I through VI) to house the prisoner based on recommendations made by a processor who has evaluated all the reports and test results.

The thirteen-month construction and renovation project was a significant undertaking which included physical plant modifications that made the unit handicap accessible.

“Not only are all prisoners entering the system now handled in the same manner, the consolidation has resulted in a significant cost savings for the department,”said Harry Trapp, RGC Administrative Assistant.

“I am very proud of what our staff have accomplished in this merger and conversion of two facilities and I would like to thank them for their commitment and cooperation. The Egeler reception center is the front door for all male offenders entering our department and we continue to try to improve the process daily. We welcome staff throughout the agency to come and visit the institution to develop a better understanding of reception processing and to spend some time with our staff,” said Ludwick.

Michigan Department of Corrections, Dec. 23, 2002