MI DOC - Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU)

You can support your loved ones at MTU on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 616-527-3100.

Located at 1728 Bluewater Hwy in Ionia, MI, MTU carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. MTU offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on MI DOC - Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

MTU, established in 1958 and named after its first warden Richard A. Hanlon, operates under the philosophy that providing education and marketable skills to prisoners enhances their chances of successful reintegration into society. The facility, located in Michigan, exclusively houses male inmates aged 18 and older at a Security Level II classification.

The facility offers specialized programs tailored to meet the needs of specific prisoner populations:

1. Adaptive Skills Residential Program (ASRP): Designed for prisoners with significant limitations in adaptive functioning due to developmental disabilities or chronic brain disorders.
2. Residential Treatment Program (RTP): Catering to prisoners with mental illnesses requiring intensive treatment, including medication management and group/individual therapy.

Programming at Handlon Correctional focuses on modifying self-destructive behaviors and fostering positive thought processes. The academic program encompasses Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, and the Calvin Prison Initiative program, which provides liberal arts education in ministry leadership.

The facility also hosts the Vocational Village program, a unique skilled trades training initiative aimed at providing a positive learning environment for prisoners serious about pursuing career and technical education. Graduates receive assistance from facility staff in securing employment upon release, with many having job arrangements prior to parole.

Supplemental programs focus on teaching job skills, health education, and independent living skills to prisoner workers. Recreation and leisure time programs aim to enhance team-building skills, while religious services cater to the spiritual needs of all recognized religious groups.

Healthcare services, including medical, mental health, and dental care, are provided on-site, with emergencies referred to local hospitals and serious medical issues addressed at the MI DOC’s Duane L. Waters Health Center in Jackson.

Security measures include a perimeter secured by a double chain-link fence, concertina wire, and an electronic detection system, ensuring the safety and security of staff and inmates alike.