RENAME IONIA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY S.B. 102: FIRST ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 102 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Alan L. Cropsey
Committee: Judiciary
Date Completed: 2-9-05
RATIONALE
Jack Welborn is well known in Michigan by those who work in, or are familiar with, the State(s correctional system. From 1986 to 1994, when he retired from the Michigan Senate, Welborn was the chairperson of various Senate committees that considered legislation regarding the Department of Corrections, and corrections issues in general. Just before 1986, media reports alleged that the State(s correctional system was experiencing severe problems, including crowding and other unsafe conditions. Jack Welborn is credited with playing a major role in finding legislative and administrative solutions to the problems, and becoming an expert on corrections issues as well as an advocate for the Department. It has been suggested that a correctional facility be named after former Senator Welborn.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Corrections Code to rename the Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility, as the Jack Welborn Correctional Facility.
The renaming would be effective January 1, 2006.
Proposed MCL 791.220d
BACKGROUND
John A. (Jack) Welborn (1932-present) was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1972, and then to the Michigan Senate in 1974. He retained his Senate seat through 1982, when he lost his bid for the Republican nomination for Governor. His brother, who succeeded him in the Senate, died in office in 1985, and Jack Welborn again was elected to the Senate and served through 1994.
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
Jack Welborn is a well-respected public servant in Michigan who has had a distinguished career, particularly in matters related to corrections. He is highly admired for his hard work and dedication to solving problems in the State's administration of its prison system. He was instrumental in implementing the special alternative incarceration ("boot camp") program and providing for the construction of the Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility. It would be a fitting tribute to change the name of that facility to the Jack Welborn Correctional Facility.
Response: Naming a State facility for an individual should perhaps be reserved for a memorial tribute after that person's death.
Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create additional costs for the State. According to the Department of Corrections (DOC), changing the name of the Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility would cost approximately $67,500. The costs include changing signs, references in operating procedures, and American Correctional Association standards, and replacing prisoner and staff identification, letterhead, stationary, prisoner guidebooks,
envelopes, business cards, post orders, and preprinted forms. Of those costs, $3,600 is for paper products; this cost could be somewhat diminished if the DOC were given enough time to use up existing supplies and plan for the change. The DOC also could incur additional costs for other changes such as notifying vendors and courts, revising Michigan Administrative Information Network (MAIN) profiles, and updating websites and databases. The DOC does not yet have a cost estimate for these changes.
Fiscal Analyst: Bethany WicksallAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb102/0506