The Office of Community Corrections works to reduce the number of people sentenced to prison while promoting public safety through the use of effective, evidence-based programming/services in the community. Programs aimed at addressing the behavior and needs of individuals who are being supervised in communities throughout the state help reduce the long-term impact and cost of incarceration without jeopardizing public safety. To promote long term self-sufficiency the Office of Community Corrections works through the following branches:
- Community Corrections (P.A. 511) – Michigan Public Act 511 awards funding to approved local city/county governments to provide evidence-based programming and services to eligible pretrial defendants and sentenced felons. Each awarded Community Corrections Advisory Board (CCAB) must have an approved Comprehensive Corrections Plan that demonstrates local impact on defendant/offender needs as well as the Statewide Overall Prison Commitment, Appearance, and Public Safety Rates. The Michigan Office of Community Corrections staff oversees compliance with P.A. 511 funding requirements, provides technical support, and serves as liaison to the Michigan Community Corrections Board.
- Community Residential Services (CRS) – MDOC contracts with community partners to provide residential programing for individuals with pretrial, probation, or parole involvement. Through this temporary residential program, they are able to receive rehabilitative services including cognitive behavioral therapy and case management as well as individualized services such as employment assistance and substance abuse treatment. The Michigan Office of Community Corrections staff oversees compliance with contractual requirements for those CRS facilities receiving funds and provides technical support.
- COMPAS Quality Assurance (QA) – COMPAS QA staff reviews COMPAS risk/needs assessments completed on offenders sentenced to prison to ensure effective, individualized case management and treatment plans. Appropriate programming referrals and utilization impact successful rehabilitation while incarcerated and upon community re-entry.
Assessments, completed by appropriately credentialed professionals, evaluate the individual needs of defendants and offenders, all while tailoring interventions to the learning style, motivation, abilities, and strengths of the individual. Each branch addresses defendant and/or offender criminogenic needs at different stages of the criminal justice system while promoting successful interventions and rehabilitation.
