JAIL CELL SPACE REQUIREMENTS - H.B. 4784: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 4784 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Jason Allen
House Committee: Criminal Law and Corrections
Senate Committee: Judiciary
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Department of Correction (DOC) law to provide for double-bunking of jail inmates involved in certain day parole programs, in smaller cells than is currently allowed.
Currently, rules and standards promulgated under the DOC law may not prohibit the housing of two inmates in a county jail cell that is designed for single occupancy if the cell is at least 65 square feet in area and provides unrestricted access to a day area that is available for use by inmates, other than those being disciplined. The day area must be available at least 14 hours per day and contain an average of at least 20 additional square feet of space per inmate.
Under the bill, the rules and standards also could not prohibit double occupancy of a cell designed for single occupancy if it were at least 55 square feet in area and both of the inmates housed in the cell participated in a day parole program for at least 32 hours per week.
MCL 791.262b - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on local government.
To the extent that the bill would allow jails to house more offenders by reducing the square footage requirements for double-bunking offenders in work release programs, counties would be able to house offenders without remodeling, new construction, or bed renting, which are some of the more costly alternatives.
- Fiscal Analyst: K. Firestone S9900\s4784sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.