The Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, a bipartisan cooperative focused on reforming the state’s justice and jailing systems, released a set of recommendations to the public last week.

The recommendations, announced at a press event, were given to the state Legislature for consideration. The report focuses on reforming the state’s use of fines, fees and cash bail for those arrested or awaiting trial in an effort to make the system more equitable for people with low income.

“Our current jail system’s overemphasis on fines and fees—and severe imbalance and punishment for those who can’t afford them—is creating a modern-day debtors’ prison where people with lower incomes receive harsher penalties than people with money,” Gilda Jacobs, president and CEO, the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) said in a press release. “But the jail task force’s recommendations that were released seek to change that, and the League wholeheartedly supports these recommendations.”

The 21-member task force, co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, is comprised of attorneys, law enforcement officials, lawmakers, victims of crime and those who were formerly justice-involved individuals.

Eighteen data-driven recommendations were developed by the task force, highlights include:

• Ending the suspension and revoking of driver’s licenses for violations unrelated to safe driving.

• Reducing the use of arrest warrants to enforce court appearances and payments.

• Reducing fine amounts for civil infractions. Also, determine an individual’s ability to pay for the fines and fees.  

The task force hopes these recommendations, if enacted, would make the court and jail systems more equitable for all Michigan residents.

“Now that we have clear data and information about the state of Michigan’s jail and pretrial system, we can begin to take a more thoughtful approach to ensure our policies meet the needs of all who come into contact with that system,” Gilchrist said. “The policy recommendations that we have outlined will provide people with a much healthier chance of success here in Michigan, and I’m ready to work with the Legislature to codify them into law.” 

Gilchrist and Attorney General Dana Nessel—another task force member—participated in the Michigan Safety and Justice Roundtable hosted by the Hudson-Webber Foundation and other key partners in 2018. Two reports focused on effective and equitable solutions in the justice system were created from the gathering, one centering around youth and one on adults.

Issues and topics from the Roundtable have influenced the recommendations, including data reporting, poverty, lengths of stay and more.

As for the recommendations, according to a press release from the state, House Speaker Lee Chatfield and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, who received the report, committed to giving the recommendations a thorough review and serious consideration. 

Want more?

Read the Michigan Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration’s report and recommendations.

Check out the Michigan Safety and Justice Roundtable reports.