Community Corrections

Mission Statement

Provide appropriate alternatives to confinement that are cost effective and aid in modifying criminal behavior.

Program Purpose & History

Monroe County Community Corrections provides access to treatment, alternative sanctions, and services for eligible offenders, based on assessed needs. Goals include improving cognitive behavior, eliminating drug/alcohol abuse, and assistance in job placement. 

Control and management are promoted and enhanced through the support of the State, County, and local program provider’s partnership in the management of the offenders. The State provides funding for alternative sentencing options and the funding is renewed yearly with the approval of a Comprehensive Plan. The State's prison commitment rate decreased since Public Act 511 was adopted in 1988, indicating Community Corrections Programs are efficiently working throughout the State of Michigan.

Community Corrections Act

Michigan legislators passed Public Act 511 (PDF), better known as the Community Corrections Act, in response to the increasing prison commitment rate and the rising costs associated with keeping offenders locked up. The Michigan Office of Community Corrections (OCC) was established under the direction of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). The Community Corrections Act established a statewide policy and a funding process for locally designed and administered community corrections programs.

The Act requires the development of alternatives to incarceration that:

  • Protect the public
  • Hold the offender accountable
  • Increase restitution to victims of crime
  • Provide needed rehabilitative services (e.g. substance abuse, mental health counseling, job training and placement, educational opportunities) and utilize valuable jail space for the more serious, violent criminals

State Board Priorities

The priorities of the Michigan Office of Community Corrections are to reduce or minimize prison admissions for:

  • Sentenced Felons (probationers) - assessed as having moderate to high risk/needs when using a State-approved actuarial, objective, validated risk and need assessment
  • Pre-Trial Population - funds Pre-Trial risk assessments and Pre-Trial release supervision