LANSING — Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is reaching across the aisle today, all the way to California. Granholm, a Democrat, sent a letter to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, offering several Michigan prisons that are up for lease to assist both states with their current budget crunches.

After heaping praise on the Michigan Department of Corrections employees and programs, and highlighting two facilities for closing, Granholm wrote:

“I believe this opportunity has great potential and could be mutually beneficial at a time when states need to rely on each other like never before. It would allow California to address some of its immediate needs for additional prison beds and prisoner preparation for release and would permit some of Michigan’s very talented correctional and program staff to continue working as they face the likelihood of layoff. Further, and perhaps most importantly, I am certain Michigan can provide a safe and secure environment for prisoners and help prepare them for a return to California and a crime free lifestyle. I believe a partnership on this issue could have national implications for cross-state collaboration.”

Granholm has graciously offered up the Standish Maximum Security Facility near Saginaw, and the Muskegon Medium Security Facility near Muskegon. The 604 bed Standish facility is slated for closure at the end of July, while the 1,326 bed Muskegon facility is slated for closure in September.

The letter leaves the details to be worked out by the heads of each state’s correctional programs.

California is looking to fill a $24.3 billion hole in its budget, and the correction program costs an estimated $10 billion a year.