Proposed Michigan prison diversion program for drug offenses hopes to end re-arrest cycles

[marmar]

(Michigan Advance) A bill proposed by Michigan Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) to create a prison diversion program for those suspected of drug-related crimes could help reduce re-arrests and cycles of incarceration.

The legislation has support from a substance abuse advocate and retired police officer, both of whom testified to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

“Many communities want alternatives that improve outcomes while maintaining public safety. House Bill 5453 provides a pathway towards that,” said Dunya Kilano, the director of operations for Face Addiction Now. “This is not avoiding consequences. This is about investing resources and approaches that address the underlying issue and reduce the likelihood that some will turn to the criminal justice system again and again, from both a public safety and a fiscal perspective.”

Mario Bastianelli, a recently retired captain for the Sterling Heights Police Department, said that while responding to substance use-related offenses throughout his career, he noticed patterns that indicated a need for a prison diversion program. He said that for much of his career, the response to those offenses was straightforward — investigating, arresting and prosecuting individuals when appropriate. ....................(more)

https://michiganadvance.com/2026/06/05/proposed-michigan-prison-diversion-program-for-drug-offenses-hopes-to-end-re-arrest-cycles/