Michigan Votes Forum

Im speaking from being a victim several times throughout my life:

I have been trying to see something passed on this issue for a long time. I believe that the bill should allow for "good time" releases. There are far too many people in this country in prison for crimes in which they didnt commit as well as the punishment did not fit the crime. Also, even for the people that has spent lots of years for crimes they did commit. If the sole purpose of prison is to rehabilitate then people should be allowed an opportunity to be released if they have comformed and showed that they can become a productive citizen.

Lastly, from a budget stand point and tax payer the early release program will reduce spending for prisons and over crowded prisons. Please approve this bill! Thanks

 the sole purpose of prison is to punish. the pipe dream of left is to rehabilitate the prisoner.

 one has to wonder, sir, what exactly are you considering yourself a victim of?

silence dogood:

 the sole purpose of prison is to punish. the pipe dream of left is to rehabilitate the prisoner.

 That is ignorant at worst and a foolish mistake at best.

The ENTIRE purpose of prison/jail is to rehabilitate.

The days of flogging, whipping, leg irons are gone and for good reason. Thats punishment.

Life sentences are for those whose crime is deemed unworthy of,  or unable to be rehabilitated.

Prison sentences are punishment, but that is not the "sole" purpose.

Perhaps the ignorant rightwing thinks torture is "therapy".

 first you say...

TrueBlue:

The ENTIRE purpose of prison/jail is to rehabilitate.

 then you say...

TrueBlue:

Prison sentences are punishment, but that is not the "sole" purpose.

 perhaps you should stop insulting people and make up your mind.

silence dogood:

 first you say...

TrueBlue:

The ENTIRE purpose of prison/jail is to rehabilitate.

 then you say...

TrueBlue:

Prison sentences are punishment, but that is not the "sole" purpose.

 perhaps you should stop insulting people and make up your mind.

 Your lack of comprehension skills is not my problem.

It is  your problem if you think that the truth is insulting.

There is no "nice" way to point out someones stupidity or sheer ignorance.

 ignorance is curable, stupidity is often not. and yes, there are nice ways of pointing out stupidity and ignorance. you should try some. if you feel you must insult someone to get your point across, you powers of communication are severely lacking. it is not my lack of comprehension that is the issue, it is your lack of civil communication.

i take it you believe in rehabilitation, good for you, it is a great goal to strive for, and every criminal should have rehabilitation at least attempted on him while he is incarcerated. as you also stated, with some people rehabilitation doesn't work. with some criminals, penitence is not within them. for them, the punishment they receive is not lost simply because the rehabilitation didn't 'stick'.

prisons are sometimes places where rehabilitation takes place, they are always places where punishment takes place. life sentences are not for those for whom rehabilitation has failed, but for those that society wishes to shun forever. those that society does not wish ever to become part of society again. who's crimes are so heinous and infamous that there is no reason to believe that re-entry into society is possible, or even wanted.

the largest opposition to revising prison time off for good behavior procedures is not because rehabilitation has not taken place, but because the public does not perceive that enough punishment has taken place. the largest group of proponents of revising prison time off for good behavior are the spouses and loved ones of incarcerated individuals, who have personal reasons other than the state's best interests at heart.

i personally believe that the state should make revisions in the mandatory sentencing rules, not the 'good time' law. i also think that the state charges itself too much for the upkeep of inmates, much more than most other states. the state prison budget per inmate is very high, and only this year has the figure gone down, proof that this state can reduce these costs with a simple swipe of the legislative pen.

we hear that there are those in our prisons that do not deserve to be there, those that are totally innocent. i would like to believe that our criminal justice system would preclude this from happening, but i am beginning to see some evidence that the claim may have some merit in some cases. what i am also seeing is the increasing amount of inmates that get much harsher sentences than the crime would seem to merit simply because some judge is attempting to appear tough on crime. being tough on crime on a day to day basis is one thing, but being tough on crime once in a career and pointing to it like a trophy on the wall is entirely another.

perhaps this law needs a 'helper' law that mandates further judicial revue of 'questionable' cases to open up some room and relieve some overcrowding. it also needs a good helping of frugality to lower the costs of our prisons considerably. all these measures combined with honest justice will help cure the problems that spurred this legislation.

As an individual who has had personal experience w/in the MDOC I can assure u that that there is a dual purpose which w/out both would only allow for a totally failed system.  While in many aspect the current system is failing in many areas, there is reason for hope. But that hope is from an outside source, and not the system itself.  That Hope is faith based organizations getting involved, and staying involved and while justice is being ministered, so shall mercy.  But lets never forget the victims must be acknowledged, and considered through the whole of the process.  Yes, Punishment is a componet to the MODC system, however w/over 94% of all re-turning citizens returning to soceity, and the communities thereof it behooves the tax - payer to seriously consider the disposition of those re-turning citizens especially given the thought that one may well become your neighbor.  So one would deem that rehabilitation is the corner stone to which we must build upon, and to render skills and trades to which may constitute and facilitate a solid foundation to which those returning may stand upon and be accepted. Okay now that I have got onto my soap-box I must say this bill will constitute a start in a very needful direction... Simply stated, Lets pass this Bill!!!

My husband is incarcerated and has been for 20 years.  I feel like the good time revised would do the prison system some good.  If you haven't been getting into any trouble then they actually lessen their earliest release date.  That would be a good thing especially since the budget is so bad.  If that's the case then do something about it. 

 I was a victim, of a man who was complaining to me about haveing to work so hard to keep up. I was never told that the profesinel drivers I was working with might be paroled, myself had been a comerical driver "18 wheeler" for 15 years never had to deal with ex-convicts, so when I saw that he was getting upset, "I told him there was nothing I could do for him," and I turned away a started walking away, he blew a fuse and started punching me in the back of my head and neck witness told me and the police. I then started to turn around and I got my legs locked and he pushed me to the ground, I feel flat on my back, but I also struck my head on a small curb approx. four inches high,out of that impact I recived 3mm of permint brain damage to the rear of my brain and due to slap reaction another 2-3mm of permint damage to the frontal lobe, that was on August 24, 2007 due to the Tramatic Brain Injory I died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital they resutated me and put me on life suport at the ER, it took 19 staples to close up my head, as a result I have devloped a siesior condition and now I will never be able to drive truck again. About 7 weeks later I was told that the driver that assaulted me was paroled for good behavior after sixteen years served out of 40 for Manslauter he served 9 months in jail before he went to trial, durring that he put another man in the hospital for toutching his $10.00 transistor radio, and served another month and was releasd, My question is was he rehabilated, when he was released? does the system work? And now my family and myself have to serve out the rest of our lives for what? trying to work hard, trying to contribute to the rest of us?  sincerly Myron B.

 Mr. Babler, your situation is horrible indeed.  The real issue is not that they are paroling people, but are they paroling the right people.

I have a son that has been incarcerated for 9.5+ years and has had 3 denials of parole.  He has never been on parole, not given any second chance at all.  However, he tells me all the time about the other inmates who keep getting paroled over and over again.  One individual even told him that "he was going to test his parole officer this time" and it was his 3rd or 4th time getting a parole.

What I cannot understand is why the Michigan Parole Board keeps paroling individuals who they can see have failed while on parole.  After 9.5+ years I have only one conclusion and that is it saves their jobs and the correctional officers who work in the numerous prisons.

Prior to all of the prison closings, there were 47 prisons in Michigan.  There are 33 in California.  Michigan had up to 52,000 inmates in all of those prisons and camps, California had over 100,000.  8 facilities are listed as closed on the corrections website and 3 others have been consolidated(an attempt to give a false number to the public).

However, they are still releasing people on parole that should not be released, the same ones again and again.  A revolving door.  Just so they can keep their jobs.  Just to show the public that "see we released all these people and look what happened, crime and they are back again".  It is all about jobs and money.

It is not about rehabilitiation.  When Engler was governor, he took away every avenue that a person could have as an inmate to be able to "rehabilitate" themselves, the programs are gone that an inmate can use to do this, they classify almost everyone as a drug user, sex offender or assaultive person.  In this state almost every MCL that is listed requires an inmate to take the Assaultive Offender Program.  Yet there is a waiting list a mile or more long.  Even if the inmate successfully completes the AOP, the parole board may not parole them.  But, they will re-parole the inmate who has failed several times before.

It is about jobs.  The correctional officers union lobbies the legislature on this bill.  Mel Greishaber, Executive Director of the MCO has appeared at committe hearings on the bill.  Of all of the people that should be impartial about this, they are one that should.  But they're not.  They are very active politically and only for one reason, to get more members.  They won't get more members in the MCO if prisons close.

Michigan falls into the area where the ratio of custody staff to inmate is very high.  California is low in this area.  But their wages are higher.

We as a society MUST do something!  Locking up everyone forever is not the answer.  They call it "right sizing prisons for Michigan".  How about "Michigan must not turn into "escape from New York"".

Always remember that good time is earned, not just given to anyone.

 I think Michigan is very hard on first time prisiner my son was 19 yr old when he went in and is doing very good! he has learned! He would be a blessing to other if he was out. we are wasting money by keeping him in

Then perhaps the punishment for committing any crime other than a traffic violation should be death? Perhaps non-offenders are the only citizens who are capable of having morals? The idea of rehabilitation is a "pipe dream" and, once convicted of a crime, a citizen can never be trusted to ever be a productive member of society again.

Lets punish anyone convicted of a crime by sending them to prison and stamping there foreheads with a "no longer welcome in society unless you want to work at McDonald's" sign when they get out. No "honest, law-abiding" citizen wants or should have to pay a convicted criminal's prison rent (which I understand to be in the neighborhood of over $30,000 per year per inmate). No "honest, law-abiding" citizen wants or should have to see convicted criminals returned to society. Perhaps those citizens who are "honest" and not "of the left" should round up anyone who is convicted of a crime and ship them via cattle car to concentration camps for extermination.

 convict,

I sincerely hope that your post is just done with sarcasm, because if you really mean what you posted, then you are in a VERY sad place.

 I have a loved one who has served 16 years of his time, he has been a good inmate, no tickets, worked when work has been available, which is not very good at this time due to over crowding of facilities. He has earned three degrees which he has paid for himself and has loving family who want him home. What good does it do to keep housing him there for another 20 months. He has already proved he will be a good citizen upon release. Why are we not releasing indiviuals who have served a greater deal of their minimal sentence, have proved themselves and will in the end cost the state less.

 I don't know if you have ever served time in a prison.  You sound very angry.  I agree that not all prisoners can be rehabiliated, but you can't make that assumption for every prisoner.  I have a son who is in prison.  He made a mistake and has served time for that mistake, however, he can and will be a productive member of society and I have as a law-abiding citizen paid for his housing.  I don't want my son to be shipped to a camp for extermination.  I don't know if you have ever walked in the shoes of someone who has a loved one in prison, if you do ever walk in those shoes, I believe you view will strongly change.  People are not cattles, we are all humans, some have made mistakes and some have not, you are not judge and jury for every inmate or for every citizen of this great country we live in.

 I have a sister who has serve over ten years of a sentence that should never have been given to her for a trajic accident that happened. she has proven herself to be a perfect candidate for early release. She has not been in any trouble, no tickets, no complaints. She has completed many courses and takes advantage of the opportunities that arise to benefit her and others who are in similar situations. She is a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and a wonderful friend to many. She has proven herself to be rehabilitated and ready to come home to her family and friends. She is not a threat to society or to herself. Dont get me wrong, I do not believe all inmates are or should be eligable for an early release but with proper investigating since there time incarcerated should show who is eligable and who deserves a second chance, as does my sister.

 Hello, i just had a question. How long do you think the bill for good time will pass and go into action? Is there just no way of knowing?

 I'm not sure our prisons serve the community at all and aren't just money pits for the government. Michigan enacted the "Truth in Sentencing" guidelines (to allow for prisoners that had reached their minimuim sentence served to be released from prison and no longer a taxpayer burden and yet 95 % of those eligible for release are "flopped"), to square up sentencing and reduce the need for parole boards yet in the latest budget plans we see in an increase of funding for the parole board. Michigan prisons require certain educational classes to be completed by a prisoner before release yet the prison fails to offer the class therefore the prisoner can't be released and reform???? Please, I think the prison system only teaches prisoners how to become better criminals, they certainly don't offer prisoners education, trade skills or support so that once they are released they can become law abiding, contributing citizens to society. The claim is that Michigan spends 36,000.00 annually for one prisoner and yet spends a quarter of that on education (which according to the state is largely supported by the lottery paid by the citizens). The whole system needs reform..........the children should be educated to keep them out of prison and prisoners should be made to work for their keep while in prison and educated to keep them out once they are released and Michigan should decide by which rules they are playing by, truth in sentencing (which isn't working)  or good time behavior.

So this is saying that that prisoners will be released early if the get good time, now will that be retroactive?  My ex-husband was put in prison 3 years ago almost and was sentenced 6-20 for writing bad checks the reason it was so long is because this is his 3rd offense.  But even if they put him on a tether at least he could work and pay the people back that he owes and help take care of his children.

For all of you who support this bill, I would advise that you contact your district representative and state your position. (Google their information if you have to).  We should make our opinions known to the people who are in the position to bring "good time" credits back.  I, personally, have a loved one in prison, and think that he is rehabilitated and just a plain waste of taxpayers' money.  On the other hand, I believe that there are people in prison who are a serious threat to civilization and should be locked up.  Here is my position: there needs to be a much more thorough evaluation of the inmates by the intelligent people we've trusted our state government to hire.  These inmates, despite the effort to individualize them, are largely classified similarly.  I'm afraid of the "good time" credits being re-established because I think of the people who should be locked up being released on good behavior.  I have read this bill and it seems to me that, the way it's currently written, prisoners will receive "good time" credits in the form of 5 to 7 days per every month they are not issued a major misconduct ticket.  This means that if they get one major ticket a year, they will only have at most a week taken out of their "good time" credits for that year.  This is what scares me.  I hope I'm wrong, so if I am I encourage clarification.  I am in favor of "good time" credits being re-established, but only if it keeps the serious "threats" out of the society in which my young niece and nephew live.  I pray that the elected officials of our state will make an educated, well considered decision on this matter.

What needs to be examined is if "truth in sentencing" is really working.  A review of statistics concerning incarceration rates will show a definitive "negative" answer.  The taking away of good time credits from potential future inmates is not enough to thwart a person from comitting a crime.  Since good time credits were taken away and the introduction of "truth in sentencing" became a realism, prison population has escalated and the rate of returning parolees has not gone down-leading to an increased cost for the general population to house these inmates.  At a time when budget constraints are a necessity, reintroducing methods to reduce the prison population are a credible way to reduce the budget.  HR4498 should include strict restrictions on a future parolee's violations for major infractions.  They should prove that they are able to "follow the rules" and therefore have the "potential" to become productive members of society.  Not all inmates have the same willingness to conform and their strict adherence to the rules while incarcerated would prove beneficial to themselves.  Learning to reprogram their lives to conform to acceptable society norms should be one of the goals of the penal system-it is not all about punishment-not in the USA.  If you believe that an inmate cannot be rehabilitated, then maybe you should move to a country that believes in amputating appendages for stealing, castration for adultery and beheading for lying.

 I think good time is more of a motivation to the prisoners to do good. Without any motivation they have not real reason to try to better their lives. Not only that, it will also help cut down on prisoner population, therefore cutting down on prison spending. Let's hope this bill passes, it can only benefit everybody, not only the prisoner,but also the taxpayers.

 im all for goodtime !!! michigan needs it...Real Bad!!!

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Lena Pereida.... I am a law abiding citizen that pays Taxes and a vivid hard working citizen... And have been since i was a very young adult! I am 48 yrs old and still struggle with everyday challenges that seem to arise all the time! I am a single parent since my fiance has been incarerated..

I am writing in regards to Bill 4498. I am all for the Good time Bill! My fiance has been incarcerated since Aug. 2006. He has not once had any kind of disciplinary action against him! He has completed plenty of classes offered through the Department Of Corrections... And has passed everyone with 100%... I feel that he has paid his debt to society! He has never been in any trouble previous to him being incarcerated in 2006. He is a very good person with a heart of GOLD! I know that he has learned a very valuble lesson while being incarcerated. He did make a mistake and has learned from this.  

I would like to talk about why i believe that this bill should be passed:

I know that our other governing states have passed the Good Time Bill... and have been sucessful! The state of Michigan has only let out prisoners that have passed thier minimum sentence and been flopped plenty of times before that. Please take in consideration the Money that the State of Michigan can save if this Bill is passed. What would be more appropriate than to pass this bill and save millions of dollars... To me it's a huge start to help the economy out! I am asking that this bill be passed. Please take my thoughts in consideration. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me... And i will respond back immediately!

Thanks in Advance! 

Lena D. Pereida 

 I Am all for the good time bill my father has been in prison for 13 years i feel that any prisoner that has changed for the better and shown progress deserves a second chance at life. this good time bill would give him a chance to see his grandchildren grow up seeing as the choices he made in the past did not allow him to see his own children grow up. my father is a changed man and deserves a second chance. this bill will not only help my family but thousands of familys. Since my father has been in prison we have been struggling financialy and struggling to keep our family together. I will continue to pray for him and others and anyone who has a father should understand why this bill should be passed.

 Please Pass This Bill

My name is Angela Wood i am the friend of #246252.  I am sending this E-mail in support of, but not limited to all House of Bills, prison reform acts, etc.Specifiically i send this in support of House Bills 4497-4498.

In closing i ask that you support and assist in the release of my friend. Please contact me at (269)547-5887.  If you need additional support of House Bills 4497-4498 or specific information peraining to aiding in the release of Michael Caraway.

Thank you in advance for both your assistance and time in the above mentioned matter.

                                                                                                   Resepctfully,

                                                                                              Angela Wood

Please pass this bill.

 i also am asking michigan to reinstate good time for prisoners. without good time incentives what reason do these inmates have to behave and reform?

My Name is Lyric Barber-Smith,

I am a very concerned parent; my son was sentenced to Ten Years in the Algiers Correctional Facility. I am all for rehabilitation and I do believe that prison does serve a purpose for that. I also believe that while serving time in prison a person has time to think about their life, and what has become of it because of the bad choices that have made. My Son was sent to Prison because he withheld information and refused to tell on someone. Well, that maybe wrong; but be that as it may, to sentence him to Ten years? That’s a bit much, there are people that commit murder; and don’t get that amount of time.

I am asking, praying and hoping that the State of Michigan will pass the Bill to put the good time back into the prisons. What incentive does a prisoner have to do better without something to look forward too? I feel that it will help the prisoners to do well, and have a more positive attitude while serving time, knowing that if they do well and don’t cause problems they will have a chance to come home soon. I feel a lot of prisoners come out very bitter, and angry. Angry at society and everyone in it, which in time will lead them right back down the road to destruction. This is really sad.

 I am all for prison reform but at what point do we say they are reformed? After doing the full 10 or 15, 20 years who is to say this will help them to reform and come home a better person. No, this is not always the case. Put the Good Time back into the prisons Give these Men and Women something to look forward too. Give them the incentive to do their best and do whatever it takes to become a law-abiding citizen once they are released. Give them Hope for a Brighter tomorrow. I will continue to pray for all persons involved in making this decision; I just hope that they will take all things into consideration before the final decision.

I have also stated a petition for families of inmates that agree with the Good Time Bill being passed. I live here in Lansing and have been a resident of this city for 13 years now. My plan is to continue to help my Son to not lose hope that one day soon he will be coming home, and the Ten years will be cut in half or maybe even better. If it be God’s will. May the Lord Bless and keep you all in your decision making, I sure that with the Lords guidance the right decision will be made in the best interest of the Men and Women Prisoners and their families.

                                        Thank you for your time,

                                                         Respectfully, Ms. Lyric Barber-Smith

 how can they just decide to not make a decision? prisoners and family alike have been waiting anxiously for a decision and nothing happens. bringing back good time for state prisons just makes sense.financialy and space wise. the county jails are way over crowded so they send prisoners off to state prisons who then become way over crowded. now you have a bigger problem because there is no time off for good behavior so now where does the problem go?

 What is going on with this bill? why is it taking so long to decide weather or not to put the good time back into the prisons.... i don't understand! i recentley got a letter from my son saying that there has been a lot fighting going on in his prison lately he is in the alger max correctional fac.

these men are upset it is time to make some kind of decision and hopfully it will be to pass this bill ASAP before someone is killed in these prisons. enough is enough.. people do change and a lot of these prisoners deserve a chance to prove themselves  DON'T YOU THINK AFTER 5, 10 15 YEARS ONE WOULD HAVE REFORMED NOT ALL BUT MOST DESERVE THE GOOD TIME PRISON CUT PLEASE THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE FAMILIES, THESE MEN AND WOMEN DESERVE TO COME HOME. PLEASE PASS THIS BILL.

                                    THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

                                     AGAIN; A CONCERNED MOTHER  LYRIC BARBER-SMITH

I totally agree with youI have a husband that's in the system.He's been there almost 9 years and has'nt had a ticket or got in any trouble.The Sentors act like they are perfect like they haven't made mistakes before.The Corrections Department all they think about is job securityThey can careless about someones family memeber.People do change not all should get out but the ones that are reform and is up for it should. PLEASE PASS THIS BILL.

KISHA 

 My husband has been incarcerated for 11 years and has good behavior and is rehabilitated. I feel that inmates with good time should  have an early release if they show rehabilitation, because people make mistakes and they deserve a second chance and the only way they can prove their  rehabilitation is that you grant a second chance to them, especially if they have a positive support team and it is verified. For many their is an absence felt throughout their families and communities. Please find that everyone deserves  an  oppurtunity.

 Wrong, the purpose of corrections/prison systems is to protect society.  Rehabilitions rarely occurs, i.e. recidivism rates. 

if you would take the time to check on what's going on in the MDOC, you would find that inmates are not just made up of druggies,

pedaphiles, killers, and armed robbers--there are the non-violent crime inmates who should be released to any and all outside available programs and tether/gps systems (paid for by the inmate and family).  The history and passage of deleting good time to inmates came about at a time when there was total disgust with the State and the MDOC AND THE JUDICIARY in allowing those

dangerous individuals to receive the good time, and did not take into consideration that there are so, so many non-violent inmates who should be afforded good time opportunities..william gray/grandville, MI 

 We are hopeful that the Legislature will get the Bill out of Judiciary and pass the good time legislation recommended by the Governor.  There are a great number of nonviolent inmates in the system that deserve to receive the good time, or be put out on tether/GPS systems and sent home to their families that will pay for the service and monitored by the Parole/Probation Departments.  We realize that the P.A.'s Association is against reinstating good time to Michigan inmates, BUT let us not forget that they are focusing in on the violent crimes and those they have put away--and I realize that Government many times blankets everything without attempting to separate and consider "each" inmate's crime--that's Government and understood--BUT we have a relative who has now served 24 months of a minimum 48 months for an embezzlement charge.  He has availed himself of every available program that Department offers, which are few and far between at the present time--but he has attended and completed all available programs, is educated, has address his once terrible "alcohol disease", which caused his poor judgments.  He works extremely hard at his job every day within the system,  attempts to talk down those who begin to start acting up and reminds them what consequences there are and the short time they might have within the system.  This person, our relative, should be considered for good time and possible release on a tether/GPS to his family, which would pay the cost of same, thus saving the State another $33,000 to $36,000 a year--the family would incur the cost of his GPS system and monitoring.  It just all makes sense, but, again, we are dealing with Government who has really shown the constituency a very poor record of fiscal responsibility over the years--don't think that comment should be insulting to anyone--just look where we are right now....  Anyway, HB 4498 (Good Time Credit) should be gotten out of the judiciary asap, discussed and passed before the end of the year! I would be happy to speak and testify as to what I have seen in the system, how it's operated since being introduced to it.  Michigan, I understand, is one of only two States in the Union that does not give good time, or, in fact, if an inmates is working hard, allowing good time credit for each hard working day that inmate puts in.  Remember, everybody else gives good time, even those County Sheriff Departments  where those "objecting"  Prosecutors are from--I am told the Federal System does the same.  Also, please consider the GPS systems out there.  It is my understanding we could kill two birds with one stone there, as the systems are produced in the State of Michigan, or, at least, some are, and that would create more work for Michiganders--we need more jobs here!  William Gray 

So EVERYONE in the state of michigan prison system, is guilty. No way anyone along the line of our perfect judicial system did anything to  make a mistake to put innocent people in jail or prison.