Prisons hit hard by budget cuts

To help resolve a state budget deficit, the governor and Legislature have ordered a $320 million state budget cut, and effects have trickled down to the Upper Peninsula. The state Corrections Department, in particular, was directed to cut $54.9 million from its $1.7 billion budget, leading to at least 161 layoffs statewide.

The Marquette Branch Prison will lose $361,400, and nine positions may be eliminated.

Other prisons affected include Alger Maximum Correctional Facility, Munising, which faces a $496,600 budget cut for 2002, and Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility, Baraga, which will lose $639,600.

—Rosie Cataldo