name="1">271: FIRST ANALYSISSenate Bill 271
(as passed by the Senate)RENAME IONIA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - S.B. name="1">271: FIRST ANALYSISSenate Bill 271
(as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Senator Alan L. Cropsey
Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
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, Senator 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. Senator 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 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, 2004.
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.) Jack Welborn then was reelected 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 had has 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. It would be a fitting tribute to change the name of the Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility to the Jack Welborn Correctional Facility.
- Legislative Analyst: George Towne
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 would have to notify vendors and courts as well as revise Michigan Administrative Information Network (MAIN) profiles, but does not have a cost estimate for these changes.
- Fiscal Analyst: Bethany WicksallA0304\s271a
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.