Productivity Credits Prioritize Proven Safety Solutions: How People Spend Time In Prison Should Matter

Prison should be about accountability and rehabilitation. Because most people in Michigan’s prisons are going to go back to their community, it is essential that we do everything possible to ensure they leave prison equipped with the tools they need to reintegrate safely and successfully. The last thing anyone wants is more harm, more violence or more victims. 

Michigan voters overwhelmingly support legislation that would allow people to earn productivity credits, toward consideration for earlier parole by completing various rehabilitation, education, and training programs. This report, The Case for Productivity Credits in Michigan, authored by two former corrections chiefs, explains how the vast majority of states utilize credits to improve prison and community safety by reducing recidivism, and why this is a good reform for Michigan. 

Research has consistently found that educational, vocational, and other rehabilitative programs reduce recidivism and decrease crime. According to the National Academies of Science, studies indicate that drug treatment, education programs, vocational training, and other forms of in-prison programming all reduce recidivism and improve outcomes post-release. 

Effective interventions do best with strong incentives. Productivity credits would allow someone who decides to spend time in prison participating in and graduating educational, vocational, and other proven recidivism reduction programs to earn credits toward accelerated consideration for parole. The parole board will still decide if release is merited in every case with individualized review. 

Across Michigan, a diverse coalition of victims, community and business leaders, faith leaders, and law enforcement strongly supports the inclusion of productivity credits within the state's public safety system. Victims of crime are among the strongest supporters of this legislation, and several victims testified in support of legislation to advance productivity in Michigan. Eight in 10 Michigan crime victims support reducing prison sentences, and three out of four believe rehabilitation, and drug and mental health treatment are more effective at preventing future crime.

In 2023, the conservative Mackinac Center published a report that showed the positive effects of prison education on both reduced recidivism and increased employment and testified in favor of legislation that would have implemented these credits. Additionally, CPAC released a white paper endorsing earned credits as sound public safety policy and provided testimony during the 2024-2025 legislative session. 

Productivity credits would incentivize those in prison to engage in recidivism reducing activities, and promote safety behind and beyond prison walls, while also holding people accountable.