If all the options to reduce corrections spending are adopted, Michigan would have 5,572 fewer prisoners than expected in 2015, according to the study. About $262 million would be saved from 2011 to 2015 -- not a huge amount considering the state probably will spent upwards of $10 billion on corrections in that period.

Here's how the plan works... prisoners eligible for parole after serving their minimum sentences, unless they are rapists or murderers, would get parole.  Period.  The parole board, they're really no longer needed.  Minimum sentences become maximum sentences and bad guys get cut loose onto unsuspecting Michiganders.

See, the thing about parole boards is they review prisoners' history, their behavior and a variety of other relevant factors.  If a parole board thinks John Q Arsonist doesn't deserve a fresh go at the matches just yet, I'm inclined to side with them instead of John Cherry.  Thanks.

My favorite part of the plan, well, besides the fact that it'll save $262 million (allegedly) out of a total of more than $10 billion spent on corrections in the same time period (a staggering 2.6% of the budget... look out!) is what the politicians propose we do with the money we save.

Republicans and Democrats applauded the study for not just focusing on reducing prison costs but for proposing that savings be spent to deter crime and lower recidivism.

Know one real great way to lower recidivism?  Keep violent convicted felons IN PRISON!  They're serving the sentence the judge gave them and, bonus, they're not going to be on the streets committing new crimes.  Funny how that works.