LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan officials say they will privatize prisoner food services, a reversal from a decision nearly two months ago.
The state Department of Corrections on Tuesday sent a notification to employees of the decision. The jobs of more than 370 state workers are at risk.
Michigan previously decided against privatizing some prison services because three contracts out for bid didn't achieve the necessary 5 percent savings as required by state rules.
But after Republican lawmakers complained, officials say they didn't do an adequate apples-to-apples comparison and made other mistakes involving a contract for $73 million in food services.
It turns out Philadelphia-based Aramark met the criteria to be awarded the contract because it would save the state 20 percent. A corrections spokesman says some state employees could be hired by Aramark.
