The MDOC has completed a portion of the plans to close the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility (JMF) and 7 Block of the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center (RGC), as 7 Block was shut down over the weekend.

The full closure of JMF is unlikely to be done before September 1 because the Department's transfer plan is still under review by the District Court. The Hadix case has been re-assigned to Judge Robert Jonkers in Grand Rapids.

The JMF prisoner population has decreased by about 690 inmates since the closing announcement iin February. This has been through administrative transfers for special needs prisoners, lateral transfers of non-special needs prisoners and paroles and discharges.

On July 18, Judge Bell dissolved the temporary restraining order that had prevented the transfers of special needs prisoners since July 5. In addition:

1. JMF's 4 Block is closed.

2. JMF's school programs and the prisoner store will operate until the facility closes.

3. Michigan State Industries (MSI) will remain at JMF until 5 and 6 Block close.

4. Temporary air conditioning sufficient to keep the open housing units at a less than 90 heat index (HI) was installed for 5 and 6 blocks. It will run on days when the HI (as measured in the cell blocks) approaches 90, to keep the HI below that level.

5. RGC received a "Cool Dome." It is a point of court-ordered refuge for certain prisoners when the interior of the remaining cell blocks - 1, 2, and 3 - approach an HI of 90.

Keep checking the F.Y.I. for additional updates on the progress of closing Southern Michigan Correctional Facility.

Michigan Department of Corrections, FYI Newsletter 072607