The Michigan Department of Corrections is one of the principal state departments. Final responsibility for operation of the department rests with the Governor who appoints the Director, with the advice and consent of the state Senate. The Director serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director has full power and authority in the supervision and control of the department's affairs and is its chief administrative officer.

Beneath the Director are the following Administrations headed by Deputy Directors:

Correctional Facilities is responsible for the operation of all prisons and camps, including the Special Alternative Incarceration program (SAI - boot camp), the reception and classification process and treatment and transfer of prisoners who are housed in a prison or a camp. Also within this administration are Michigan State Industries and the Bureau of Health Care Services.

Field Operations is responsible for state probation and parole supervision. It also oversees Community Residential Programs and the Michigan Parole Board. Field Operations is divided into two regions -- the Metropolitan and Outstate regions -- and each is headed by a regional administrator.

The Operations Support Administration is responsible for all internal organizational support within the department.

The Planning & Community Development Administration is responsible for the Research and Planning, Offender Reentry and Community Corrections offices.

In addition to these Administrations, the following units also report to the director:

The Office of Public Information and Communication is responsible for media inquiries and requests for information, news releases and internal communications.

The Office of Legal Affairs has a number of functions. One is to evaluate the department's internal accounting and administrative control system. It audits administration of programs and operations and makes recommendations. It coordinates, in cooperation with the Michigan State Police, the investigation of possible criminal or administrative violations of laws or rules by department employees. The Litigation and Freedom of Information Act Section directs the efforts needed to deal with lawsuits filed against the MDOC and involves coordination with the Attorney General's office. The office also oversees the unit that enforces state jail rules and reimburses county jails for housing prisoners who otherwise would have come to prison.

The Prisoner Affairs Section investigates and responds to prisoner grievances.

The Bureau of Human Resources contains the offices of Equal Employment Opportunity, Training and Recruitment, Central Office Personnel and Personnel Services.

The Legislative Liaison provides information to the legislature regarding issues affecting the department.