Lawmakers are considering paroling inmates for minimum sentences.
The Department of Corrections will likely be a big target as Michigan tries to balance its budget.
Governor Granholm and lawmakers are considering a recommendation to reduce prison spending by paroling inmates who have served their minimum sentences, unless they pose a high risk of re-offending.
It costs the state about $33,000 a year to house an inmate.
State Representative Mike Lahti of Hancock serves on the House Appropriations Committee. He says safety will be the top priority.
"A lot of folks stay in past the date when they're eligible for parole. A lot of them--120 percent past that. The idea is to get folks who aren't dangerous out of there at the time of their parole and work with them so they fit better into society. That's the plan," said Representative Mike Lahti with the 110th District.
Lahti says he'll fight to keep U.P. prisons from closing.
Michigan is one of just four states to spend more on prisons than universities.
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