Michigan Votes Forum

are required to reimburse the county for their incarceration while there. obviously it AIN'T HAPPENING. we STILL pay 38,000 a year for incarceration. i don't believe that an inmate on a 'tether' is really incarcerated. anyone (his dealer, his weapon supplier, his also recently released cellmate) can visit him.

once again someone scimmed through what i wrote and just saw what they wanted to see. when did i ever say that i didn't feel that i deserved to be punished for the things i did? when did i say that i don't have remorse for what i did or that i don't care about the people i hurt? when did i say that i committed my crimes all at different times? (i committed all 6 felonies at once). when did i say that i currently take drugs? and, most of all, when did i say that i would commit these crimes again? so, as for your understanding, i can see that you don't understand much. so, please, explain to me why i should give a "flying rat's ass" about your comment when you have no idea what you're talking about? i will now say again to you and everyone else who writes a reply to me: read what i write before you respond to it. besides from looking stupid by posting a reply to something you know nothing about, it will save you some embarresment. now, as for you saying that you are against public spending on prisoners. i can't tell. because, if you were so against public spending on prisoners, you would support this bill. this bill would save the state millions and millions of dollars that are being wasted each year. there is about 30 states that have TIS. did you know that michigan is the only state that still has a parole board? in every other state (that has TIS), when a person has served their time, they go home. they don't have to see a parole board. if they did good, they go home on their outdate. if they did something wrong, they have to stay for more time. that's not the case in michigan. even after a person has served all their time they still have to go infront of the parole board. and alot of people still get flopped (have another year or two added to their sentence), even though they haven't gotten into any trouble. engler created this prison system to make money for the state. did you know that 2/3 of all state employees are prison employees? did you know that the michigan prison system is a fortune 500 company (michigan state industries MSI)? michigan is the prison state. however. they let this prison thing get out of control. now it's time to fix it. i could go on and on about this stuff. if you really want to know about it, though, you can research it and see for yourself that what i say is true. so, if you really are against public spending on prisoners, like you say you are, research the facts about this bill. you might find that you're actually in favor of this bill. please, don't respond to this unless you actually research a few things and come back with some facts. and, please, let's not forget that the focus of these comments should be on these bills and whether or not it is a good idea to get rid of TIS. the focus is not on me. i only told about myself to let people know were my piont of view comes from and to show that i have knowledge of the subject. too many people have no idea about this bill or have any knowledge about the prison system and that part of the budget. so, because they have no factual information to bring with their arguement, they attack me personally. all that shows is that you're not intellegent enough to debate this topic with me or anyone else on here. so, please, research the subject and, if you have an intellegent and fact based comment, post it.

should be named "COMMUNISTS AGAINST PEOPLE IN PRISON".

once again someone scimmed [skimmed] through what i wrote and just saw what they wanted to see. [no, once again, we read what you wrote instead of WHAT YOU MEANT TO WRITE.] when did i ever say that i didn't feel that i deserved to be punished for the things i did? [in several of your previous posts. don't you remember what you write? you stated that AT THE TIME you weren't sorry for what you did, and you WERE ONLY SORRY AFTER YOU GOT CAUGHT.] when did i say that i don't have remorse for what i did or that i don't care about the people i hurt? [at the same time you were admitting to committing several felonies, then doing drugs after you were released.] when did i say that i committed my crimes all at different times? (i committed all 6 felonies at once). [when you admitted to taking drugs after you left prison. that's a FELONY TOO, you know.] when did i say that i currently take drugs? [you DID say that you took drugs after you got out of jail, and you ARE currently out of jail. you never mentioned QUITTING drugs.] and, most of all, when did i say that i would commit these crimes again? [when you admitted that you did the several felonies, you admitted that you had no remorse, and would do them again if you had the chance. please try to remember what you admit to.] so, as for your understanding, i can see that you don't understand much. [i understand that as much as YOU may want this bill to pass, that it is not up to you. it's up to ME and the majority of the LAW ABIDING CITIZENS OF MICHIGAN. there may be several thousand bleeding heart liberals who have compassion for your situation, but I don't.] so, please, explain to me why i should give a "flying rat's ass" about your comment when you have no idea what you're talking about? [because i can vote on it. because i am in the majority, and because the VAST majority voted FOR truth in sentencing. the chances of changing their minds is very slight, but you do what you gotta do.] i will now say again to you and everyone else who writes a reply to me: read what i write before you respond to it. [and i will now say again to you, WRITE WHAT YOU MEAN.] besides from looking stupid by posting a reply to something you know nothing about, it will save you some embarresment. [i'm not embarrassed in the least telling you that you deserve to do every nanosecond of your sentence AND THEN SOME.] now, as for you saying that you are against public spending on prisoners. i can't tell. because, if you were so against public spending on prisoners, you would support this bill. this bill would save the state millions and millions of dollars that are being wasted each year. [this bill will NOT save any money, in fact, this bill will COST this state millions of dollars to track down and prosecute all the released prisoners who will very quickly RE-OFFEND as you did.] there is [are] about 30 states that have TIS. did you know that michigan is the only state that still has a parole board? in every other state (that has TIS), when a person has served their time, they go home. they don't have to see a parole board. if they did good, they go home on their outdate. if they did something wrong, they have to stay for more time. that's not the case in michigan. even after a person has served all their time they still have to go infront of the parole board. and alot of people still get flopped (have another year or two added to their sentence), even though they haven't gotten into any trouble. [now, all you have to do is PROVE the system has kept them in for 'the money' and not for 'the crimes they committed in jail', and your case is won. it's just that easy.] engler created this prison system to make money for the state. [engler signed the legislation to implement truth in sentencing because the PEOPLE DEMANDED IT.] did you know that 2/3 of all state employees are prison employees? [yes, and i still don't care.] did you know that the michigan prison system is a fortune 500 company (michigan state industries MSI)? [that makes one MORE fortune 500 company in michigan, the total is now FOUR.] michigan is the prison state. however. they let this prison thing get out of control. now it's time to fix it. [i guess you agree with jennie about letting inmates go free because she refuses to cut any other programs to save money. she's already laid off state troopers, and she is about ready to release prisoners and close jails. i guess that makes you happy, as your POOP CHUTE PORKIN' CELL MATE IS GONNA BE FREE SOON TO PUMP YOUR SPHINCTER AGAIN.] i could go on and on about this stuff. if you really want to know about it, though, you can research it and see for yourself that what i say is true. so, if you really are against public spending on prisoners, like you say you are, research the facts about this bill. you might find that you're actually in favor of this bill. please, don't respond to this unless you actually research a few things and come back with some facts. [the FACT IS that michigan charges 38,000 a year to keep an inmate in jail. thats tenth highest in the country. that figure is WAY TOO HIGH. LOWER IT.] and, please, let's not forget that the focus of these comments should be on these bills and whether or not it is a good idea to get rid of TIS. [no, it's not a good idea to get rid of truth in sentencing.] the focus is not on me. i only told about myself to let people know were my piont of view comes from and to show that i have knowledge of the subject. [no, you told your story to draw sympathy from the left leaning liberals in the crowd. it back fired.] too many people have no idea about this bill or have any knowledge about the prison system and that part of the budget. so, because they have no factual information to bring with their arguement, they attack me personally. [we DO have knowledge about the prison system. we've been paying for it for years. your 'inside information' has nothing to do with how the money is (mis)spent and why. you tried to pass yourself off as some kind of EXPERT simply because you spent a few years in stir.] all that shows is that you're not intellegent enough to debate this topic with me or anyone else on here. so, please, research the subject and, if you have an intellegent and fact based comment, post it. [now, if you have any REAL knowledge about the spending habits of the administrators of the prison system, other than what you THINK they should spend the money on, please post again. until then, please keep your 'i was in jail, i know all about it' whining to yourself.]

as i said before, once again someone has skimmed (thank you for correcting my spelling) through what i wrote and read whatever they wanted. i was gonna point out to you exactly how much of an idiot you are and show you that you don't know how to read, but i've decided not to waste my time. anyone on here, with a brain and a pair of eyes, can see that you are an idiot. i think you're really just jealous that i was in prison and you weren't. from all the gay stuff you talk about, it seems that you would love to be around all those big prison guys. especially at shower time. in conclusion, you are an idiot and i don't want to hear from you again. you can read anything you want and interpret it anyway you want. i don't care. i will not be responding to anymore of your ignorant comments, unless you are asking me on a date. i know you're very curious about the gay things that go on in prison and i would love to show you. you beeeeeeetch

just wanted to let you know that was me, in comment #88, and my offer still stands to have hot sex with your butt. you're not too good at reading. so, maybe you're talents lay elsewhere ;)

changed you in only one way. you now enjoy only sex up the rear. boy, your cellmate was thorough. he worked you over good. you must have enjoyed it, though. you are a self professed "pitcher".

i didn't want to hear from YOU in the first place.

the people in the MDOC if everyone behaved them selves and no one went to prison or jail ??? what would all those people dp for a JOB ??? thinks of all the families that would be drawing UNEMPLOYMENT. not to mention those higher ups that are getting fat paychecks to run this mish mash conglomeration. to this state it's all about YOUR MONEY and how those in lansing can get more of it. before the election the governor didn't mention tax increases. now she's elected. MORE TAXES. SUPRISE !!!!!

where did you hear that i can't vote? i have the same right to vote that you do. you're not above me (i like you infront and below). so, i'll see you at the polls. maybe we can share the same booth :) like i said before, make sure you know what you're talking about before you post a comment. it will save you alot of embaressment. out of all your comments, all i heard about was what you thought was wrong with me. what did that have to do with this bill? i'll tell you. nothing. and the reason for that is because you never knew anything about this bill. you are really an idiot. i'm not just saying that to be mean. i really mean it because it's true. you're a complete idiot.

and the loved ones of criminals support it.

I AGREE WITH YOU, NINJAXXXXXXXXX. HE IS QUITE AN IDIOT. AND, UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE ALOT MORE OF THESE PEOPLE OUT THERE. SAD BUT TRUE. GOD HELP US ALL!

to be "the man" every so often, but you won't get to do it with me... no matter how many times you beg.

a lot. druggies to give up drugs. (or the legislature to legalize them) theives to stop stealing. murderers to stop murdering. granholm to quit taking our hard earned money.

from there why? Since we have farmers here who can contribute? We can't build ethonal plants here? I may be liberal I guess thats why I care about the people in OUR country and putting them to work FIRST not the people of Brazil and NOT the people in Iraq! We have our own problems in this country without poking our noses in the buisness of countries that no longer want us there. So my advice to you is that if you, conservative that you are, are so worried about these other countries before your own MOVE THERE we can do without you and take the pres with you please!

to your pres who's sending your money to Iraq to help with their ongoing religious struggles. Personally I'd rather have my money going to this country instead of going to help those that can't stand the US and want us out. Quit complaining about the Democrat when the Rep leader of this country is doing the same thing except instead of it going back into our economy it's going to Iraq and Cheney's pocketbook!

are putting the money into their own pockets. they are INTENTIONALLY ruining this state. i have no compassion for them. you and your bush hating will just have to get along with that.

about this country when YOU set up the rules that say that we can't build ethanol plants here, as they are considered REFINERIES.

This could have been a good place for people to voice their opinions, but instead I have spent the last half an hour reading a bunch of garbage! We all get how you two feel. I think you should give up the show for a while, and let other people have a chance to express their OPINIONS!

Thank you!

please help me get my "loved one" back. he's been in prison too long. i know he done wrong, but he deserves a fifty third chance. THAT GROUP?? there are two sides to this issue. you are obviously on the WRONG side.

type it in, and press "post". your opinion will be right there along with mine. if you can't do that.... i can't feel sorry for you.

does not have your view point on this issue does NOT mean they are on the wrong side. I love how people on this site just shove their views down ones throat make your comment about this bill and then hit post all the other garbage is not needed or wanted!

as you put it, is the REASON for posting. it's called a REASON FOR AN OPINION. without it, you are just spouting hot air. YOUR reason for supporting this bill is quite apparent. your errant felon 'bad boy' got caught, and is doing hard time. you want your 'bad boy' back. he didn't want to be with you anyway, he did what he HAD TO DO to get snuggled up with his cellmate. go ahead, tell me the fairy tale about how he was 'railroaded by the MAN', and locked away by the corrupt SYSTEM. how about being TRUTHFUL WITH YOURSELF, AND US?

Does anyone know how many people are in prison on False accusations? Jurors don't want to be in court, they don't get paid enough. They throw out "guilty" verdicts because they want to go home and back to work. How many Criminal Sexual Conduct cases have NO PROOF, all hear say, and these people go to prison? Hell, most people in prison are CSC convicted and most of them are from a vendicitive X that just wants to pay them back for something. I think all cases of CSC should be looked at more closely. I think people should quit judging people on hear say. I think there should be proof of a crime before ANYONE goes to prison. That would cut a lot of budget issues. People who commit murder get better treatment than people convicted of CSC. Murder cases get less time and more freedom than CSC convicted men. What is wrong with that picture? CSC convicted people have to register as a sexual offender. Why don't people that commit murder or attempted murder have to register? I'm confussed by the whole thing.

the death penalty. LIBERALS LOVE MURDERERS. that's why murderers get treated better than sex offenders.

I don't have a bad boy in any prison, as usual jumping to conclusions as so many of your kind do on here. A person can post a comment here in favor of this bill without being personally affected by it thanks. Sorry to disappoint you but I am a college gaduate, full time mom and wife, not to mention a full time worker and taxpayer in this state so instead of spouting your hot air ask before jumping to your nasty conclusions. What I meant by garbage was the nastiness to people that is so evident in your rhetoric. Try making your point without having to be so nasty to people who don't have your holy than thou lifestyle with the perfect white picket fence. Get all facts of this bill, read it THOROUGHLY and you will see that it only takes five days off of every month there are no misconducts on behalf of the inmate, and just so you know this will save the state $100 million dollars which with the state of our deficit today I would say would definately help.

the article in the Detroit News today about the prisons? Anyone who supports this bill or doesn't needs to read it. Good time bills are being seriously looked at as a savings of $100 million dollars, the article also covers many other reforms that might interest you all. Happy reading! The article was written by Norman Sinclair if you need to look it up in their archives!!!!

need to quit watching so many prison movies! Or maybe its just your secret fantasy to be the cell mate you want a prisoner to snuggle up to!!!! Either way buddy get some serious help cause you really, obviously have some pent up hostility you need to deal with. No need to be so hateful to people nor to assume you know what or how they feel, or what their explanation might be for an incarcerated loved one. Many of these family members know what their loved one did was wrong and do believe that they should pay for it, but also feel that good time credits are a good way for good behavior and learning to do things the right way to be conditioned in these inmates. Beyond that the savings for the state in time of need will be immense, Engler should have been more knowledgable about what TIS combined with a rising prison population would do to this state financially. And before you holler about cut spending these inmates are surviving with just the essentials now three hots and a cot. Anything extra as far as food or extra clothes or shoes, phone cards, soap, deoderant, money to see the doctor or dentist, etc is paid by ones family through their commissary. Please research things before you just assume based on a few, what all people think about a loved one in prison.

law enforcement have taught me a lot about the prison system. i have to ask WHY a man would commit multiple crimes, first knowing that committing a crime is WRONG, and second, knowing that he WILL be caught eventually, and when he does, he WILL be sent to jail. the only LOGICAL answer is that going to jail, and all that goes with it, are the GOAL. you said yourself that there are THOUSANDS of individuals in jail. each and every one of them committed a crime KNOWING FULL WELL that the end for them was jail. each and every one of them KNEW the fate that awaited them. it not only didn't DISCOURAGE them, it ENCOURAGED them. there are more inmates now enjoying the "good life" at the expense of the state than there were twenty years ago. not only that, we ADDED years to the sentences, and STILL they come in droves. the only LOGICAL answer is that there is SOMETHING in jail that they CANNOT GET on the outside. they CAN get food, so that's not it. they CAN get medical attention, so THAT'S not it. but they CANNOT get snuggled up night after night with some big hairy sweaty guy. THAT HAS TO BE what they come for.

gone GOOD TIME one better. just release the inmates and close the jail. then fire the policemen. THAT is what our governor has come up with, and that is what she has done. aren't you glad you voted for her?

first of all some (not all) of these inmates committ crimes while high on drugs which most of them SOBER might not have committed. Some of these inmates (not all) who yes have made a really stupid decision, who for some is a first offense, and that can be rehabilitated. Others yes after comitting several crimes have come to think of prison as their home. The sad fact is that some(not all) had worse accomidations on the outside than they do on the inside and so prefer being able to EAT consistently, to BATHE consistently, to have a CONSTANT bed to sleep in, and yes since you are so fantasizing about it sometimes grow to be attracted to the same sex. What do you think will happen when people are in there for yen and twenty years? I mean you are on the outside and are fantasizing about it so being only exposed to men for over ten years duh what do you think would happen. But I highly doubt that's what leads them to committ crimes as much as you would like to come to that conclusion. Now while I am a realistic person who believes there are some inmates who are just deviants and probably can't be helped I also believe that your years in whatever job have led you to an inaccurate assessment and generalization of every person who committs a crime. Maybe you should spend alittle more of your time trying to figure out a solution to these problems instead of assuming that you know every inmates situation and logic ir illogic when it comes to their incaceration huh? But I bet your so busy assuming everyone is anxious to get back to "Bubba" that you miss the one's that are not!

Really what you say is partly true and partly not. But of course you will jade it to try to convince people to come to your side of the argument. What she is doing is releasing nonviolent and medically ill inmates most of whom are over their minimums and are eligible for release anyways but whom have been denied parole for reasons that do not fit into the guidelines that are supposed to be used by the parole board. The parole board has become a joke, these powerhungry individuals strive now to be the judge and the jury, many inmates are just told " we don't think you've served enough time" when a judge has already set the minimum if they do not have to follow their guidelines for granting parole we should just do away with the judges and let the parole board decide. No the govenor is not just releasing all inmates get your facts straight. Aren't you the same people that sit around and complain about how she won't cut spending to balance the budget? Well if she cuts police then I guess you should be happy because she made cuts! Can't have it both ways! What these good time bills will do is save the state $100 million dollars there are also bills going through to reform the parole board and the whole prison system which YES due to the beloved Engler and his truth in sentencing is eating up 20% of the states budget every year! He took no time to analyze what this would do financially to the state. It's common knowledge to anyone with brains that when you have inmates going in and very few coming out that there will eventually be a problem. It is estimated that by September if there are no reforms all the beds in each prison will be full. I guess then in a time when we are in deficit already we should just keep building new prisons as each one fills to capacity until the MDOC eats up 50% of the budget. These prisons are already cutting power periodically to these prison units to save money, but that's not the sign of a problem huh? Research things before you speak.

and she is releasing 5,500 non violent inmates. all i can say is... REMEMBER PATRICK SELEPACK. are you going to hold jennie responsible if one of those 5,500 felons robs you? OF COURSE NOT!!!!!!

more inmates who are anxious to get 'back to bubba' than are not. 44% of incarcerated inmates (this INCLUDES first timers who SWEAR that they are REHABILITATED) re-offend within the first year. the recidivism rate climbs to the high 60 percentile if you look at it over four years. i'm glad that you think that SOME inmates are not attracted to their cellmates. and while i'll admit that there are a FEW who are not, there aren't many after five years, and almost NONE getting close to twenty. can you come up with a MORE LOGICAL reason they shun you and commit crimes to go "BACK TO BUBBA"? i don't know you, but you don't seem like the type of person who would drive a man back into the arms of another man, but somehow, you did. you wanna explain that? i'll be glad to hear YOUR theory on why michigans jails are full.

life sentence without for parole for every convicted criminal? and you are among those who repeatedly gripes about the cost of running our prison system. sheeesh!

you why they are full. Many reasons actually. First an increase of drugs in our cities, lack of education, lack of a stable home and guidance, bad economic state, the fact that many of them return is also because after you have a felony on your record no matter what for, whether you want to admit it or not, it is hard to find the kind of job to support your family. Not to say that it is anyone but their fault for committing the crime inb the first place but the reality of the situation is that if you don't have a way to support yourself you will turn to the street. Many of these inmates were abused, have mental issues, have anger issues for one reason or another, and then some on the other hand are just bad. I'm not trying to make excuses but if you look at the statistics you are sure to find many of whom have experienced one or more of the above mentioned things. While I understand that not everybody that experiences these things go in this direction but it has also been proven that not everybody deals with things in the same way. In my situation it was something very different my husband worked hard everyday, was a good father, and a good husband,never having any problems with the law. Everything changed once my stepson drowned on a school field trip at the age of twelve, a tradgedy that could have been prevented but none of the chaperones knew how to swim. He regressed started to drink, we got him someone to talk to but the anger grew, he was prescribed medication to sleep at night as to not have nightmares about his son yelling for help. He drank to stop the pain, then he blew up on someone after an argument and beat him up bad enough to put him into the hospital. Was it right no, were there other things to it then trying to see "bubba" yes that is why I say until you know people's circumstances you can't saY WHAT THEIR REASONING IS. Does he regret it immensely now-yes, does he know he made the wrong choice-yes, does he take responsibilty-yes,will he have everyday for the next three years to think about it-yes, will he reoffend-I don't believe he will, he went thirty three years with no record, is he getting help with his anger-yes, with his drinking-yes, has he had any misconducts-no. Do I miss him-yes, but would I want him out if I didn't bellieve he was fit-NO because I would not want him to put himself further into a hole. The fact is sir that before you assume things, or because you arrest people and therefore assume you know all there is to know about inmates and their lives, stop to think that maybe you don't. These bills only take five days off of every month in which the inmate has no misconducts, and if you are so worried about the reoffender rate maybe you should start a program to curb it it would be a more useful way of spending your time than to assume you know everything about everybody!

he was not a non violent offender but someone in the parole department made a deadly mistake. Was he suppose to be released no, was it human error-yes, but it could happen whether or not she release 5, 500 nonviolent inmates or not. At least these have been prescreened for release. I could get robbed today by anyone passing me on the street that is a first time offender, I don't live my life in fear, I live it in the reality of things, and the reality is that JENNY is doing things that should have been done a long time ago. Prison reforms were needed whenyour beloved Engler was messing it up! It is common sense people when you have alot going in and have 40% inside who are over their minimums (which Selepack was NOT so it's not even a good comparison,try again) and elegible for release but not coming out what do you expect? 1. overcrowding 2. MDOC eating up 20% of the state budget hello it's not rocket science, what everyone needs to do is find Engler and thank HIM for helping to financially destroy Michigan by not taking into consideration that truth in sentencing would eat up so much financially in this state. Say what you want but we lock criminals up for longer periods of time even when it is been proven that they not only are at their minimums but have also completed what has been required of them by the court, and also after having in one man's case 32 years of no misconducts, and this has caused our state unlike our neighbors to spend a ridiculous amount of the state budget on the MDOC. More inmates means more guards who have to be paid, longer sentences means more water and electricity used to run the jails you house them in, it's common sense people gooing in and very few coming out(even when eligible)of course we will have problems.Think people think, this stuff started with the knee-jerk response of Engler who didn't care enough to finacially how TIS would effect the state years down the road, but then again why would he care he wouldn't be govenor by the time the problems with it kicked in.

he just doesn't have the intelligence to figure out how we'd pay for it. Let's keep everyone in jail for life but then cut spending in the prisons-so smart. Let's keep everyone in prison for life but then complain about the democrats and taxes so we don't cut spending to the prisons. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS PEOPLE! You can't have things both ways. They are already resorting to turning off the electricity in these prisons periodically, in order to save money-thats real safe, but we don't need no reforms everything is fine get a life and find a brain while you are at it!

inmates that you deal with actually tell you that they want to go back to jail to screw a man? I find that very hard to believe, I doubt as a law enforcer that they choose to talk to you at all let alone to tell you something like that-nice try though. Like was said before if you spend ten years or more with nothing but men 24-7 I bet you'd feel like that too ( you might already cause you just keep on mentioning it),I would gaurantee you if they brought back conjugal visits that you wouldn't have this problem boy wouldn't that just dash your theory.