Michigan Votes Forum

I agree with you, I have been saying this in Muskegon for three years! These kids do not know how easy it is to go to prison....my nephew is proof of that! First time offender, no criminal record, not even a speeding ticket. Scared Straight is the only way to get this under control. The kids of today are much different than when we were young. I am 41.

 

He was not raised in a house hold where it is talked about, nor ever seen. I did not know a criminal or someone who ever even went to prison. Nor did he. We need to bring this program into the public schools instead of putting more kids into prison. They say they need the state budget even smaller. They close prisons...what good is it going to do if "Truth in Sentencing" stays ineffect? They have the same amount going in every day, and not enough coming out. Causes overcrowding along with anxiety problems within  inmates! We need this bill to get passed, and not ignored.

What is it going to take for the State Of Michigan to grow smarts? Today, I see on the news, how the Govenor is cutting ANOTHER $127.00 per pupil in the public schools! Last week, she made the cut of  somewhere around $150.00 per pupil. Do the math...$267.00, around there, has been cut from our kids education in just two weeks. They are only allowed about $6200 per pupil as it is, minus the cuts, even worse.  With this news, it's going to create more drop-out rates due to not being able to get the kids special attention in reading, writing, and math. Which, If you are thinking about this as I, will create more crime because they cannot get a job that pays enough to pay the bills. Createing a downword spiral effect.

How to make up for it you ask? At around $37,000 Per year, Per inmate, at 55,000 inmates incarcerated today in Michigan, give or take a few, do the math? It's astownding isn't it? There are many, many other methods incorporated, that are used today, to keep offenders "housed", with out keeping them housed in a prison faciltiy. At a fraction of the price! They just do not want to implicate it as widely, and I do not know why?

If we do not get "Good TIme" brought back in this state so they can control inmate population, I feel the problem will be catisrophic for everyone. the more they house, the more cuts will be made in the sake our childrens education.

 

This is the first post I have ever made, I have read plenty. Please note, there is no more time to waste. We need to get loud and have them hear our voice. Why are they ignoring this Bill 4262? Believe me, there has to be some kind of extortion going on don't you think? I cannot think of why this is not happening, when this is the most viewed bill among michigan residents. It is sitting on the desk, collection dust. Paul Candino, why is this not being discussed in your house?

 

 Once again the state is taking the easy way out instead of doing what is right:

What's the right thing to do?

1. Complete all court ordered requirements (G.E.D, anger management) prior to recieving any good time.

2. Give inmates jobs with in the prisons- DO NOT PAY CONVICTS, instead for every 8 hours that they work they get 8 hours off of there prison sentence.

3. If an inmate gets in trouble (showing the he/she is not yet ready of society). All of the hours that they have earned, are whipped out.

i agree bradlee 

 The justice system is terribly flawed.  Michigan jails and prisons are vastly overcrowed yet the are imprisioning first time offenders and giving the HUGE amounts of time.  The money the are spending to incarcerate these kids, especially those who have no prior records and are not charged with felony, is beyond rediculous.  That money should be used to improving the education systems in this country.  Why the governor does not PUSH to reinstate good time is beyond reseasonable thinking.  What can citizens do to get this bill passed.

 I would like to see this bill passed.  Sometimes it is so hard to stay out of trouble when you are incarcerated where you may have to join gangs to keep safe. When you live in a place that is an 8x8 room/cell and you have a roommate or in a yard not even an acre in size. There is and will be conflict. Think about it.  We cannot even get along in our own families and you/we live in houses (small/large).  How often do you have conflict in your families whom you supposedly love?  How often do you drive on our roads and there if conflict in word or thought? These men/women are brought together from all different places in life and are put into this little cell.  I know you will say they belong there for what they have done.  Maybe that is true but for life, 10-20 years, or longer?  What if that much time was taken out of your life for a terrible/menial mistake you had made.  Would that make you think differently?  Most people who have money never have to spend time like that in an 8x8 cell with a roommate.  They are treated so differently.

I also would like to see a bill instituted that if an inmate spent time in prison for a crime, did all his time or was released on good behavior his past should be wiped away or expunged.  Think about this..... When an inmate comes out of prison he is labeled.  Something like the scarlet letter.  He cannot find work because he is labeled and people do not want to hire him/help him.  He has been put away so long that his family is gone so there is no help there.  What is left for him to do.  He turns to crime again or becomes a homeless person.  It becomes a vicious cycle and you end up paying more in the long run. 

I probably would not give the same privilege to the Pedophiles as they prey on children/teenagers who are innocent and cannot protect themselves.

I think you may say no one deserves to be released early and maybe that is true.  Where does forgiveness come in?  I do not know but, I do not want to be the judge.

 Good idea.

lol

dey c us trollin....dey hatin...

 

well i think they should be tryed a little harder,instead of just for good behaviour they should prove they have changed.

 The only way to prove a misdemeanor or felon con can change is let him free to prove it. And if he proves it well great. If he commits a crime again then enforce the law! Hey here is an idea: Do the same for those who are law abiding citizens that commit a crime. duh a huh huh. 

 Why continue to diabolically accuse a human being of their past sins? Isn't that satan's job? Can't non con's and con's be vessels of satan?  For the life of me i don't understand why our culture continue's with its madness of believing in classifying a human being as a ex-con/felon and then forever seperating them as a distinct class or some physiologically/spiritually unique creature of unredemptive wickedness by holding a record of their sins in a community taxable, government funded database.  God ordained all federal and state governments to enforce the law, not to act like they have the infinite intellect of God, and be some micromanagement human behavior detecting protectors of society. God giveth, and God taketh away! Government taketh, and keepeth on takin!   

I believe that a person who is in prison should get a day off for every day that goes by and there is no trouble that he has instigated.  That will give an inmate something to look forward to.  He will say Yes I can do it and show that he can.  It will be an initiative for someone that is really trying to change their life.  Who knows what really put them in there to begin with?  Every day there is not one person who makes the right choice about everything that goes on in his/her day.  We may think we have but, have we really. Again, I believe that the criminal record should be expunged because he/she has a change to life again after they have served their time.  How many people should be in jail that are not for what they do and get away every day thinking no one is looking?  Just wondering how many of us who think we are judges have done things that we/you do not want anyone else to know about??

 This bill is a crock of *** every one who is convicted should serve there time no matter how long it is.  We should also have a deth penalty and if found gulity with every thing showing them to be gulity give them 96 hours to get every thing in order then exacute them and stop wasting taxpayers money taking care of them and feeding them.

 mohawk...im glad your not running the prisons...

 You people are living proof the educational system has failed.  That failure is a partial cause of why our prisons are packed full.  If we are going to have a "justice" system, then why should be let convicts out early?  Because we don't have enough room?  Our soldiers sleep in the dirt, our sailors hot-rack it because there's not enough room.  Neither get conjugal visits while serving...

Why can't we run our prisons more like prisons and less like the resorts they seem to be?  3 squares, nice warm bed and free cable anyone?

 Your an idiot the educational system has failed but it certainly has nothing to do with why the prisons are full. This state has a piss poor " JUSTICE ?" system. The reason the prisons are full is because the prosecutors don't NEED any evidence they are allowed the right to persecute the innocent and get away with it. You obviously have never been falsely accused of anything that you had no way to prove your innocence. Doesn't matter that you didn't do it. You say 3 squares bunch of bull do you know what that means? Obviously NOT They aren't given any decent meals nothing the military get. Would you consider a steel slab with  3-4 " of foam a nice warm bed? If you do thats sad cause your able to afford better. As for free cable you have no clue who do you think pays for the T.V they watch their families are TAX payers too. You need to do better research before you make an ASS of yourself !!

 when a person commits a crime sentence them, and if they are model inmates or are eligible for time off because of good conduct then let it be written. But when a person commits a crime let him do the time and end it there!! Don't be a demon conjured up from the bottomless pit of the darkest part of the bottom of the barrel of rotten dead hell and curse him as a felon for the rest of his life in a public database. When a person does their time set them free!! Don't keep a record of their sins!!!

 At least you thank God Anon/citizen.

 

 No they shouldnt , there are alot of INNOCENT prisoners serving time for a crime that they did not commit. Everyone deserves a second chance!

 If you can't do the time don't do the crime. Most criminals now days cop a plea and are not sentenced for the crime that they have commited as it is so they should at least do the minimum.

I would assume that's why we have an appeals system in judicial law.  Credit for good behavior is not needed

 

Exactly if you can't fo the time then don't do the crime, simple as that really.

 

Amy From Natural Remedies for Anxiety

 I hope they bring back good time behavior. The sentences are harsh and way to long. The prisons are overcrowded. As a parent we are punished too. It's a long way for us to drive over the bridge for a short visit. We can't afford to go only 2 times a year and it's so expensive. Not to mention what it costs us to keep him there and the phone bills. Yes good time should be brought back. It's an incentive for the inmate. My son hasn't seen his brother or sister or his 3 year old. How long should he be punished? He has paid his debt and he did not rob or rape anyone.

People that do not have a loved one in prison are quick to respond, "if they did the crime - do the time".  While I too do not have a loved one in prison, I lead a support group for those that do in Westland MI.  (www.hope4healinghearts.com ) I see the pain and heartaches of the families - oh and while they didn't do anything wrong - they "do the time" emotionally!  As far as good time - I think the average "non-aware person", thinks someone sentenced to 20 to 40 years will get off after 10 years with good time.  Not so, we're only talking a minimum number of days - maybe they'd get 300 days - that means they are released after just a few months AFTER they have served 19 + years!  NO ONE is making light of their crimes!  Please think twice about EVERYONE involved.  Many prisoners that can't follow the rules of prison life are also the same ones that would never earn credit for any form of early release.  Besides, in the long run, it might cost the state a few less dollars.  Remember we pay more for prisoners stays that we do for our children's education.  So what is really important here?

I hope they carry back great time behavior. The sentences are severe and method to long. The prisons are overcrowded. As being a mother or father we're punished as well. It's a lengthy way for us to push more than the bridge for a short visit. We can't afford to go only 2 times a year and it is so costly. Not to point out what it expenses us to keep him there and the telephone uhaul bills. Yes great time should be brought back. It's an incentive for the inmate. My son hasn't seen his brother or sister or his 3 year aged. 

 Good time is necessary!!  Prison overcrowding and the cost of keeping prisoners confined is very costly.  We, the tax payers, are in need of a break.  Good time release would help cut the taxpayers cost.  Prisoners could be released with tethers and therefore be able to work and pay for the tether and still provide income and support to them and their families.  Good time for prisoners who are the "best of the best" in the prison system should be considered and the tether system put to good use.  Family members of prisoners have an additional burden of trying to provide for the prisoner, nothing is free to the prisoners.  Prisoners have to buy everything, paper, stamps, pencils, good winter coats, shoes and more.  The majority of prisoners receive money from their families and friends.  There are not enough "jobs" to go around so that the prisoner can pay some of their own way.  Again, Good Time is necessary

I think the revisions being made here is so good. I think being able to get released early when you are doing good is so great here. The prisons are definitely getting too full here. We have to release some. furniture Canada