Supremes deny cert in prisoner pension case

The Supreme Court refused to review a case today that undercutsMichigan’s use of inmates’ pensions to pay the costs of imprisonment.  A federal appeals court ruled that pension managers can disregarddirectives from Michigan wardens to deposit inmates’ pension money intheir prison accounts.  The DaimlerChrysler-UAW pension plan argued successfully that the stateran afoul of federal pension law, which prohibits transfers of benefitswithout the pensioner’s permission.  The state says the appeals court voided Michigan’s powers restricting an inmate’s access to funds.  TheMichigan State Correctional Facility Reimbursement Act requiresprisoners to reimburse the state for their confinement costs from theirown assets, including pensions. In addition, state correctionsofficials require inmates to receive all money through their prisonaccount, to limit any potentially illegal or fraudulent activitiesoutside prison.  See http://www.supremecourtus.gov/orders/courtorders/061807pzor.pdf

The Sixth Circuit decision is available at