By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
CARO — Four months ago Tuscola County Commissioners pitched the concept of using the former Tuscola Re-entry Center to house aging inmates.
They finally got a response this month. The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) didn’t say yes, but they didn’t say no.
“We are not yet at a point where we are looking at physical space options for the older adult – frail population. We are, however, taking the time to define and qualify the population and its needs, our space and staffing requirements, programming etc.,” said MDOC Director Daniel Heyns’ letter to the commissioners.
“Once those needs are determined, we will be in a better position to make some informed decisions about space.”
According to Heyns, it will take the department awhile to sort out the details and make a determination.
“It is hoped to have these areas clarified by late summer,” he said. “Once we have had an opportunity to evaluate our options, a meeting could be considered and my office will contact you.”
Back when it was announced in the fall of 2012 that Tuscola Re-Entry Center outside of Caro would close, local and MDOC officials met to tour the facility for possible reuse. So far, nothing has come from that meeting.
However, when county commissioners learned the state had done a study on its aging population and their needs, they contacted the state about considering the re-entry facility to be reused as a center for that aging population.
MDOC’s study showed that while the number of inmates has decreased the number of inmates over the age of 65 increased by 78 percent over the last 10 years, and that they make up about 2.5 percent of the inmate population. As the years go by, that number will increase. Plus, with age, comes health issues. Approximately $300 million of the MDOC’s $2 billion budget goes to health care.
With that in mind, county commissioners pointed out to the state the re-entry center’s proximity to Caro Community Hospital and Hills and Dales Hospital as well as a kidney dialysis and MRI facility in the county along with medical facilities in the Saginaw and Bay City areas.
Another plus for using the center, is having the Caro Regional Center next door.
Also, a prison infrastructure is in place at the re-entry center from when it was Camp Tuscola – a minimum security correctional facility. The former facility housed 160 parolees, employed 34 people, and has 114 acres.
The center has been closed because of state budget cutbacks several times over the years. The center was initially part of the Caro Regional Center built in 1914 to house epilepsy and mentally impaired patients, but that section of the Caro Center was closed in the 1970s.
Then, Camp Tuscola, which was a 260-bed minimum security prison, opened in May 1985, in two refurbished Caro Center buildings. However, as part of state cutbacks, the annex part of the prison camp closed in Sept. 2003, and then the main camp closed June 1, 2005.
Commissioners worked with the state to find another use for the camp. In November 2006, the re-entry program opened in the former Camp Tuscola. It was the first such program in the state.
Hopes are to be able to find a fourth use for the site.
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.