Some of these facilities are leased by the department. Commutations and Pardons - Under the authority of the state constitution, the governor has the power to grant executive clemency through pardons and commutations. The Michigan Parole Board reviews clemency applications and makes recommendations to the governor. In some cases, the board may conduct a public hearing to gather comments from interested parties prior to deciding on a recommendation. In a commutation, the life sentence is reduced to the number of years already served by the offender and parole is granted.
State law allows any prisoner serving any length of time to apply for a commutation.
State law requires a public hearing before the board can recommend executive clemency in all cases, including pardons. There were two commutations granted by Gov. John Engler in 1998. Since beginning as governor in 1991, Engler has commuted seven sentences. During the Blanchard Administration, from 1983-1990, a total of six commutations were ordered. A total of 94 commutations were granted during the 14 years of the Milliken administration.