May 31, 2016
May 31, 2016
Contact: Chris Gautz 517-241-0363
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pugsley Correctional Facility slated for closure in September
Successful efforts to reduce the state’s prison population, paired with declining numbers of new prison commitments has led to the ability of the Michigan Department of Corrections to close a correctional facility as part of the 2016-17 fiscal year budget.
The Pugsley Correctional Facility, located in Kingsley, will close this September.
Staff members were notified by MDOC leadership in person at the facility today. The facility employs 230.
“While this is a difficult day for the staff at Pugsley, the ability to close a facility is a result of the hard work by so many across the department to help bring down our prison population,” MDOC Director Heidi Washington said.
The state’s prison population is now under 42,000 for the first time in nearly two decades. Michigan’s prison population peaked in March 2007 when it stood at 51,554. As the focus on “Offender Success” continues, it is the department’s hope that there will be further declines in the prison population by focusing efforts on probationers so fewer end up in prison, by providing quality education and opportunities to those in prison before they are released and appropriate supervision of those who are paroled.
The closure of Pugsley will save $22 million in the upcoming fiscal year budget. Since 2005, the department has closed and consolidated more than 25 facilities and camps, which has resulted in more than $370 million in budget reductions.
“This closure will provide the maximum savings possible to taxpayers,” Washington said.
The MDOC looks at a variety of factors when choosing a facility for closure. Those include the age of the facility; cost to operate; need for renovations and improvements; bed space vacancies by custody level and staff impact.
No single factor was the determinate factor when making this decision, but based on weighing all of the criteria above, Pugsley was chosen for closure.
The department will begin working immediately with the employees and their union leadership. The department will attempt to absorb as many staff as possible into the vacancies the MDOC currently has throughout the system. It will begin working with the various unions and the Office of State Employer on bumping chains and transfer options for our employees. All options will be considered to minimize the impact on staff.
The MDOC will also work with the Department of Talent and Economic Development and Michigan Works! Agencies across the state, to take advantage of each agency’s ability to assist with displaced workers.
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Facility Facts
Location: Kingsley
Opened in 1956
Prisoner beds: 1,344
Total employees: 230
Corrections officers: 133
Anticipated closure date: Sept. 24
MEDIA ADVISORY
The MDOC spokesman will be at the facility to speak with reporters outside the facility at 11 a.m. To RSVP, please call 517-241-0363 or via email at gautzc@michigan.gov.
Facility address:
7401 East Walton Road
Kingsley, MI 49649
