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MPRI eNews  
January 2011: Special Transition Edition 
Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Update
In This Issue
McKeon Named MDOC Director
James Yarborough Retires as Manager of Offender Reentry Services Section
Leadership Changes Underway at MDOC
Governor Rick Snyder took the oath of office on Saturday, and his new administration is quickly taking shape. As promised, we will keep you posted on the changes that will affect the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative. In this special edition, we'll tell you about the Department of Corrections' new director, Richard McKeon, and the retirement  of James Yarborough, who was manager of the Offender Reentry Services Section.

We are pleased that Governor Snyder expressed strong support for effective reentry services throughout the campaign, and his team has been informed in more detail about the important work of the MPRI since his election in November. We are committed to working with Governor Snyder and his team to continue to strengthen the MPRI.

With all the change going on in Lansing, both in the administration and the Legislature, it is especially important for MPRI supporters to communicate with leaders about how the initiative is making communities safer by helping parolees succeed when they return home.

As always, thanks for reading. 

Jeff Padden and Paul Elam
Public Policy Associates, Inc.
Richard McKeon Named Director of MDOC
Richard McKeon, a longtime Michigan Department of Corrections official, is returning to the department as director. Governor Rick Snyder made the appointment while a national search is undertaken for a permanent director.

Mr. McKeon, who is well known and highly respected by those in the corrections policy world, worked in the Michigan Department of Corrections from 1981 until 2003. He currently serves on the board of SIREN/Eaton Shelter, a domestic violence shelter in Eaton County. Before working for the Department of Corrections, he was an analyst for the House Fiscal Agency.  He also worked on corrections policy for State Senator Earl Nelson.

He succeeds Patricia L. Caruso, who served as director during the administration of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.

To see the press release announcing Mr. McKeon's appointment, click here.
James Yarborough Retires as Manager of Offender Reentry Services Section
The MPRI owes a debt of gratitude to James Yarborough, who has retired as manager of the Office of Reentry Services Section.  Prior to that leadership role, Jim was very active from the beginning in the planning and implementation of the MPRI.  He worked work tirelessly on building collaboration between the MDOC and partnering state departments.  One of his important successes on that front was a change in policy by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority that opened additional housing options for returning prisoners. 

Mr. Yarborough made a seamless transition to the leadership of the MPRI after the departures of Department of Corrections Deputy Director Dennis Shrantz and Le'Ann Duran, manager of the Office of Re-Entry, in late 2009.

A successor has yet to be named. With Jim's departure, the contact telephone number for the MPRI is (517) 373-0720.