Some legislators want another bite of the privatization apple, according to this recent Detroit News article:
By Gary Heinlein, Detroit News
Lawmakers last year required the Corrections Department to seek bids on food service, health care and operation of prison stores, where inmates can buy items ranging from toothpaste to TVs. The department earlier this year said bids from private firms in each category were too high to meet the savings goal of 5 percent, so the Corrections Department would continue to staff them in-house.
But Proos told the committee Wednesday the Department of Management and Budget is taking another look at meals bids based on new information.
He said the department asked for bids with an assumption all inmates show up for each of the daily meals when attendance at breakfast is quite low. Adjusting bids based on actual attendance at meals could make a difference as to whether they meet the savings goal, Proos said.