WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM | Statewide Sweep Of Parole Violators Begins

Statewide Sweep Of Parole Violators Begins

A statewide sweep to crack down on parole violators has begun.

The Michigan Department of Corrections is on a mission to get high-risk parole violators off the streets. Monday, teams from the DOC and Michigan State Police hit the streets in Jackson to do just that.

Up before the sun, police hit the road Monday morning not sure what the day would bring.

"We're trying to target those high risk cases that we think are a threat to the public," said Dan Heyns, DOC director.

"These fugitive sweeps are dangerous. Our staff takes this very seriously. We could face a variety of things. These could be situations where people become hostile with us, and become combative," said John Cordell, DOC Public Information Officer.

These parolees are already avoiding police, so if they're even home, it's hard to predict whether they'll be cooperative or not.

"They could be engaging in criminal activity again, and if that's the case we need to get them off the streets and keep society safe. But there are other reasons. They could be sick of reporting to someone. After years in prison and on parole, they're just tired of reporting to an authority figure," said Cordell. 

The first house police visiting Monday was a hit. Police walked him right back to jail.

At the next house the team found two people with parole violation warrants. At some other stops there wasn't as much luck.

Overall, DOC leaders say Monday's sweep was a success.

"We're excited to be able to get those people off the streets, and either get them back on track on parole if they can be put back on parole, or put them back in prison if they're dangerous enough that they need to be there," said Cordell.

In all, 24 people were taken back to jail Monday. The sweep will continue in other parts of the state throughout the rest of the week and throughout the year as necessary.