Case Study
Michigan Violence Crisis
Revealing Hidden Inefficiencies in State Violence Spending
The Challenge
Michigan spends $3.2B annually addressing violence — yet cycles persist, with high recidivism and intergenerational trauma. Despite major investment, communities saw little relief.
DUH Analysis
Mapping Michigan’s ecosystem showed:
- 60%+ of funding trapped in Crisis zones (incarceration, emergency response).
- Prevention and Healing zones were underfunded, leaving root causes untouched.
The Results
- Shifting just 15% of crisis spending could cut violence by 30%.
- A rebalance could also unlock $1.4B in economic recovery annually through reduced recidivism and workforce reintegration.
Key Insights
- Crisis-heavy models recycle trauma and cost.
- Prevention and healing yield higher ROI long term.
- DUH exposes resource allocation inefficiencies invisible to budget spreadsheets.
Looking Forward
Michigan could lead the nation in violence prevention by shifting from reactive to balanced investment. DUH offers a roadmap for sustainable safety.