Michigan prisons would plan therapeutic spaces if another bill becomes law

The department would plan therapeutic and de-escalation spaces in every prison, and the director would use a therapeutic space for certain prisoners placed in solitary confinement. The plan covers therapeutic and de-escalation spaces in all prisons. The placement rule covers a qualified prisoner who meets the documented behavior test and is placed in solitary confinement. The placement rule applies when the director determines that a qualified prisoner has a well-established, documented pattern of physically assaultive behavior. The act would take effect only if Senate Bill 1192 is enacted into law. The placement rule applies when the prisoner is placed in solitary confinement.

A qualified prisoner in restrictive housing would receive at least eight hours each day outside the cell, and health care officials would write rules for using therapeutic spaces. The daily time requirement applies to a qualified prisoner confined in restrictive housing. The written policies concern the implementation and use of therapeutic spaces. The daily time must include opportunities for human contact and activities such as recreation, calls, visits, and treatment services; prisoners must also keep access to standard store orders and the standard number of SecurePak items. Written policies must include listed cell, activity, and communication standards unless the prisoner's individual treatment plan directs otherwise. The act would take effect only if Senate Bill 1192 is enacted into law. The eight-hour minimum applies each day a qualified prisoner is confined in restrictive housing.

The department would create a committee to help plan therapeutic spaces, review prison conditions, and access people held for extended periods and the facilities where they are confined. The committee would be within the department and include at least two people who experienced solitary confinement, including one from a men's facility and one from a women's facility. The governor would appoint members including people affected by solitary confinement, family members, advocates, health professionals, and department employees. The act would take effect only if Senate Bill 1192 is enacted into law. The committee would meet for the first time within 120 days after this act takes effect and at least once a month after that.