Rep. McConico offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 25.

            A concurrent resolution to request the Michigan Department of Corrections to include additional information through its Offender Tracking Information System and to consider offering automated phone access to the system.

            Whereas, The Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) operated by the Department of Corrections provides important information on the status of offenders who are within the jurisdiction of the department.  This Internet-accessible information includes the status of the offender, known aliases, sentences, probation, and conditions of supervision; and

            Whereas, More than 300,000 prisoners, parolees, and probationers are included in OTIS.  This information is of particular value to the victims of crimes, as they can monitor the activities of offenders as they move through the corrections system.  In many cases, this information can provide relief to victims of crime, and it can encourage a fairer administration of justice; and

            Whereas, However, OTIS does not provide some key information that could make it more effective in reducing the likelihood of future crimes.  Under the current department procedures, notifications of upcoming parole review are sent only to the attorney, judge, and victim of the crime for which the person was incarcerated.  If OTIS included information on scheduled hearings, other people with relevant knowledge about an offender could provide information that could be crucial to the hearing.  In this way, any person with information could come forth.  This would help ensure that parole decisions are based on much more complete information; and

            Whereas, The full potential of OTIS to provide vital information to victims of crime and other interested parties, however, is not realized because of the number of people in this state who do not have ready access to computer technology.  Michigan would do well to follow the lead of other states that provide this type of information through an automated phone system.  While we recognize that current financial challenges may make immediate establishment of an automated phone system impractical for now, this option should be studied.  Increasing the availability of offender information is a most appropriate goal; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we request the Michigan Department of Corrections to include information on scheduled parole hearings and on the results of the hearings in its Offender Tracking Information System.  We also urge the department to consider offering automated phone access to the system; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Corrections.