On Sunday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-62 which extends protections for vulnerable populations in Michigan's county jails, local lockups and juvenile detention centers during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The order replaces her previous order 2020-29 and details risk-reduction protocols that have been adopted and implemented by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and that county jails and local lockups are strongly encouraged to adopt.
"We continue to take action to protect all Michiganders from COVID-19," said Governor Whitmer. "That includes policies that protect incarcerated persons in our prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers. By keeping common-sense and safe protocols in place, we can mitigate risk, save lives, and get through this crisis together."
In parallel to the previous order, Executive order 2020-62 temporarily suspends transfers into and from MDOC facilities until risk-reduction protocols are adequately in place. The order also suspends provisions of the Jail Overcrowding Emergency Act to allow local officials more flexibility in releasing vulnerable populations who do not pose a threat to public safety, and orders the State Budget Office to immediately seek a legislative transfer so that jails may be reimbursed for lodging prisoners who would have been transferred to MDOC if not for the suspension of transfers. The order also outlines strong recommendations for juvenile detention centers across the state to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 in those facilities.
The Michigan Department of Corrections will continue to monitor and evaluate the risk of the spread of COVID-19 to the prison population every seven days and can lift the temporary suspension of transfers when sufficient risk-reduction protocols are in place.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/coronavirus.
Published: Tue, Apr 28, 2020
