Michigan Department of Corrections Deputy Director Dennis Schrantz addresses a gathering at Central Connecticut State University. Photo by WTIC's Matt Dwyer.

The keynote speaker at a criminal justice conference at Central Connecticut State University comes out against a proposal to expand the state's 3-Strikes-Your-Out law.

Michigan Department of Corrections Deputy Director Dennis Schrantz says locking up additional prisoners under the law could be so expensive, it could divert money from other areas that could prevent crime.

Schrantz says the 3-strikes law does not have the same bang for the buck that other anti-crime policies have.

Lawmakers who want to expand the 3-strikes law say it is needed to get serious, repeat offenders off the streets for good.

Schrantz says Connecticut should avoid a prison-building binge, which he says could divert money from education and crime prevention.

Schrantz delivered the keynote address at the forum. He also works with the Council of State Governments.