I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread specifically for new Michigan prison info since we have a new Governor who seems to be on the right track. (I hope I didn't just jinx it) Now, I know that alot of the things we hear could just be rumor, but I know that I am interested in hearing everything I can, whether it turns out to be false or not. So, this is what I heard from Robert this past weekend. He told me that they (the powers that be) are going to be reviewing all prisoners who have out dates of October or earlier of this year. Now, I don't know if thats just non violent offenders, or just drug offenders, or what. BUT, it's seems to be a step in the right direction if it is true right? It won't do anything for Robert since his "12 month flop" ends in December, but who knows. Maybe this will start a domino effect and they will start with this year, and move to next year, etc. Now, this may just be a rumor, cuz I can't remember where Robert heard it from, but it's still worth thinking about. :)

Well I for one am very happy about this thread, especially since I dont really get to see the news there or read the papers. I would be thankful to hear any piece of information even if it is just a rumour. There is always a tidbit of truth amongst a rumour or gossip, even if it is really tiny.
Any news on what the governor is up to these days regarding any of this would be very welcome news.
So Jen was he referring to earliest out date ? Cause my James past that a couple years ago. If any of this stuff is true that has been going around, I hope someone notices him.

That's a good question, and I did ask Robert that. I said, "well what about the people who are WAY past their outdates???" and he didn't know. So, not sure, sorry. :(
I can't imagine that they wouldn't look at the people who have ERD's from years ago ya know? I would think that they would be the FIRST ones they looked at. I will try to get more info from Robert, or see if he has heard anything new. I will let you know.

Ditto on that as far as anything I hear from James. I do know that his bunkie got a 'your out of here in 30 days" letter a few weeks back and was released last Friday. His parole hearing was suppose to be in March or April or something like that and it was a big surprise for him to get released. I varified that he was released and not just moved on that offender search thing.

The Dragon is hearing that the Gov is upset about 19,000 prisoners who are past their first out date and still locked up. He has heard that those prisoners files are being reviewed. He also said it would be nonviolent offenders who would go first.

I've never heard of ANYONE being released in the manner you spoke of witchlinblue....I'm not saying its not true...but I've certainly never heard of it....I'll ask the Dragon....he's been locked up going on 17 years. Was he up for parole or was he maxxing out???

Mrs. D

Wonderful thread here... I will definitely keep my eye on it....
I'm in Tx, and am clueless to what is going on in Mi, other than what Dale tells me.

Jodygirl

well his earliest out date was last fall but his first parole hearing was meant to be this spring but received this letter, its call a NCP or N something something ( Initials) letter that the parole board sends instead of you having to have a hearing. I dont know what the initials stand for, I will look back in James letters to find the right initials. Apparently if they can decide just from reviewing your file and your records at the prison that you can go then you are released within 30 days of the letter or something like that. Maybe someone else knows about it here. I will try to find more and get back to you on that one.

witchlin -

I'm not sure if this is what you are talking about and I could be wrong here...but I believe...that if you score high enough on whatever it is the parole board uses to score (I will actually have a copy of this "score sheet" soon..my husband is sending me one) then as long as you are not serving for a sex offense or assaultive offense, they can release you without a hearing.....same would be if you scored to low..they can deny you without a hearing....

Again, I could be way off base here, but let us know what you find out. Like everyone else, I am eager to find out as much as I can!!

yes that is probably it cause he said that you couldnt have sexual offences or violent offences to get that. I think that you have to have never had any of those, even if that isnt what you are currently in for. I still cant find those initials. You wouldnt happen to know what that high score has to be would you. James got his results from his councillor a few weeks ago and though its higher than last year, I dont have anything else to compare it too.

okay...I'm going on memory from what Anthony has told me (and my memory is not to good these days) but I believe a high probability of parole starts at a score of +4.....and I think the highest score you can have is +15??

I should have the info he sent me by tomorrow, and as soon as I get it I will post it here.

So, when someone goes in front of the board, and they receive their paperwork with the boards decision (whenever the board feels like giving it) does it say their score on that paper?

well for James he got a review done by his councillor in December and that is when he got his score, which is +4 at the moment it was +3 for last years hearing. So that is what the parole board sees or its probably forwarded to them prior to the hearing I would imagine. I think that can change if they get any write up from the scoring to the hearing though.

Anthony's letter came today, but, wouldn't you know it...the envelope that determines the preliminary parole guidelines score is the only one that did not make it. But here is what I have regarding the final guideline score:

Prisoners having a prelim score of -13 or lower will not have an adjustment. In these cases, the prelim score and final score will be the same.

Prisoners having a prelim score of -12 through +03 will have their score adjusted to +04 as a final score if all of the following conditions exist:
1. prior criminal record points or 06 or less
2. not serving an active csc sentence
3. conduct variable points are 0, or the prisoner is 45
years or older

Prisoners having a prelim score of +04 or greater will have their score adjusted to +03 as a final score if their prior criminal record points are greater than 06.

The final guidelines score is compared against the following grid to determine the prisoners probability of parole range.

Final score is +04 or greater = High probability of parole

Final score is +03 or less, but greater than -13 = Average probability

Final score is -13 or less = Low probability.

Hopefully tomorrow, the rest of this will arrive, which will help alot more. And yes, this score should be on the paperwork...actually, I think they recieve it before they go in front of the board (I could be wrong though).

here is a link to an article I found on the internet regarding the early release stuff
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0121/p03s01-usju.html

Thanks for the info Marie, that seems to all make sense compared to what James has mentioned.

Here is the information on early release from the MDOC website....

http://www.michigan.gov/corrections/0,1607,7-119--60148--,00.html

Just so you know the new governor is a she....

Hugs,

Jodi

Well that is all good news for some that are in for drug related things, unfortunately mine is not a drug thing. He has been in prison since 1997 for stealing a tank of gas and was given 1 - 20 for it. Hopefully someone will notice him soon or I will have to make them notice him. Mind you it was a three strikes your out and prior ones were drugs, but he did his time for those. The price of gas is pretty damn expensive in Michigan it seems.

Hopefully someone will notice him soon or I will have to make them notice him.
You go girl!! Git em!!
;) ;)

I think that all of these changes are wonderful. But, I am not sure that they would effect Robert and he is one of the people who would definitely benefit from them. His original offense is considered violent because he showed a lady a fake gun, and said " I am not going to hurt you, but you need to give me your car", and took off. I know to that poor woman it probably scared the hell out of her, but Robert is not violent, he was desperate! So now he is back in for not being able to get off heroin on his own. They probably won't allow him the drug treatment programs because of that violent offense, and drugs are the only reason that he was ever in prison to begin with. I don't think that they should necessarily target only non violent offenders. When I think of non violent offenders, I think of the dealers that get caught with too much on them. It's the really desperate addict that will go out and committ a crime that is so against their nature, and I am afraid that these people will be passed over.

I sure hope that some people will benefit from this. The prisons are so overcrowded now though, there is sure to be more legislature to come. Despite opening two more (old prisons) the prediction is that they will be full by the end of 2003 and with no plans in the budget for more beds they will have to do something. I personally think Michigan needs to "re-think" their mandatory minimun sentencing and the entire Michigan sentencing guidelines as they really do not allow for individuality. A judge or even prosecutor may wish to say sentence someone to 18 months for an offense but they cannot due to the michigan sentencing guidelines. They must be sentenced within the guidelines.. period...

Nonetheless, look to Michigan to be forced to address this problem.

Hugs,

Jodi

Thought I would include this article link from the MDOC regarding the prison bed shortfall....

http://www.michigan.gov/corrections/0,1607,7-119--58729--,00.html

Hugs,

Jodi

This was in the Free Press today. I am glad to see that Jennifer Granholm is looking at the Dept. of Corrections. So what does this mean? Seems that the fiscal year starts in October, so does that mean all of these policies start coming into effect then? What do you all think of this article?

Lawmakers approve Granholm's proposed cuts

Wednesday, February 19, 2003

BY KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget director on Wednesday presented the state House and Senate Appropriations committees with the governor's plan to fill a $158 million shortfall in the state's $8.9 billion general fund budget.

The Senate Appropriations Committee adopted the executive order 15-0, and the House Appropriations Committee approved it 24-7.

House members voting against the order all were Republicans, including some who expressed concern that the state police and corrections reductions might compromise public safety.

The executive order will trim $141.1 million from spending, mainly by cutting $76 million from state agencies and reducing money for state universities and the Life Sciences Corridor.

It also proposes $8.1 million in savings that must be approved by the Legislature -- including a $1.1 million reduction in judicial spending and a $2.1 million cut in the legislative branch.

About $25.5 million of the shortfall will be filled by transferring money from restricted funds to the general fund, the state's main checkbook. The appropriations committees had up to 10 days to approve or reject the order, but they couldn't make any changes to it.

With the adoption of the executive order, state general fund spending has been reduced twice since the budget year began Oct. 1, 2002. That reduction includes $460 million in cuts made in a similar budget-cutting measure by former Republican Gov. John Engler late last year.

The cuts in Granholm's plan include $26.9 million from the Family Independence Agency, nearly $17 million from community health, $4 million from the Michigan State Police's overall $411 million budget and $7.9 million from the Corrections Department's total $1.6 billion budget.

State agencies overall have had to reduce their general fund spending by 4.2 percent this fiscal year.

Michigan's state universities and community colleges will see their state funding reduced by 1.5 percent in the executive order, with $25.5 million of that coming from universities and $4.8 million from community colleges. So far this fiscal year, they've lost 3.5 percent of their state funding.

"While no one relishes the thought of reducing spending this late in the game, we are forced to take this action to bring spending in line with our revenues," said state budget director Mary Lannoye, who presented the executive order to the appropriations committees.

She said the cuts may be most noticeable to the public in the reduced number of state workers.

"It's mainly that we're holding vacancies. They may see longer lines because positions aren't filled," she said.

The Life Sciences Corridor, which links research universities and facilities from Detroit to Grand Rapids to create new businesses in biotechnology and other areas, already saw its budget cut $5 million in December. Its $45 million budget is reduced by $12.5 million in the executive order.

Capital outlay projects are being cut $14.7 million, with much of that coming from airport improvements.

The executive order does not cut anyone off Medicaid, the state health insurance plan for low-income residents, and maintains all services now covered by Medicaid.

It does not include any cut in revenue sharing payments to local governments, nor does it cut welfare benefits for needy families, environmental programs, veterans services or operating money for local public health departments.

Granholm said Wednesday that the cuts became necessary after state revenues came in lower than expected in November and December. State revenues have been below year-ago levels 10 of the past 12 months.

"When Governor Engler left office he thought the budget was balanced. Everybody did. Unfortunately you did not shop in November and December," she told a crowd of 1,500 at a Detroit Economic Club luncheon.

Rep. Sandy Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, said she voted against Granholm's executive order because it didn't completely solve this year's deficit.

"We're doing a lot of cost shifts ... and I thought we were going to let everyone share the pain," she said. "There's still some information lacking on federal funds" that Granholm plans to use to replace state dollars.

But Senate Minority Leader Bob Emerson, D-Flint, said he thought Granholm had made wise decisions in the executive order she and Lannoye crafted with legislative leaders.

"Governor Granholm's executive order has repaired the immediate budget shortfalls left over from the prior administration," Emerson said in a release. "There are no funding gimmicks in this measure and I applaud her willingness to make tough decisions to fix the problem she inherited."

Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, said the process showed the Democratic governor and Republican-run Legislature can cooperate.

"We had pledged we were going to work with this governor. The vote today was an indication that tough decisions can be made," he said.

Earlier this year, Granholm cut $134 million for K-12 education to balance this year's school aid budget. Schools will begin seeing that reduction next month.

State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said approving the executive order allows lawmakers to begin concentrating on the large cuts needed in next year's budget.

"None of these executive orders are easy, but cuts to the '04 budget are more than 10 times the cut we made today," said Whitmer, of East Lansing, who voted for the executive order.

Wednesday's action sets the stage for Granholm's March 6 budget presentation for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The 2004 budget faces a $1.7 billion deficit if current spending levels continue.

No clue Jeni. I wish she would cut more out of Corrections and FIA and reinstate $ to the education and community health budgets. It just makes a heck of a lot more sense to me.....

Deb

Department of Corrections Budget Cuts by prison

Community corrections comprehensive plans and services
624,700
Inmate housing fund
78,000
Alger maximum correctional facility - Munising
147,500
Baraga maximum correctional facility - Baraga
168,400
Chippawa correctional facility - Kincheloe
337,400
Kinross correctional facility - Kincheloe
272,000
Marquette branch prison - Marquette
157,400
Newberry correctional facility - Newberry
156,300
Oaks correctional facility - Eastlake
144,300
Ojibway correctional facility - Marenisco
137,300
Pugsley correctional facility - Kinglsey
149,700
Saginaw correctional facility - Freeland
135,900
Standish maximum correctional facility - Standish
135,900
Cooper Street correctional facility - Jackson
135,900
G. Robert Cotton correctional facility - Jackson
135,800
Gus Harrison correctional facility - Adrian
294,000
Huron Valley correctional facility - Ypsilanti
143,100
Macomb correctional facility - New Haven
164,500
Mound correctional facility - Detroit
135,900
Parnall correctional facility - Jackson
135,800
Ryan correctional facility - Detroit
138,300
Robert Scott correctional facility - Plymouth
142,400
Southern Michigan correctional facility - Jackson
194,700
Thumb correctional facility - Lapeer
135,900
Western Wayne correctional facility - Plymouth
143,200
Bellamy Creek correctional facility - Ionia
135,900
Earnest C. Brooks correctional facility - Muskegon
293,200
Carson City correctional facility - Carson City
292,100
Florence Crane correctional facility - Coldwater
148,800
Deerfield correctional facility - Ionia
138,800
Richard A. Handlon correctional facility - Ionia
135,800
Ionia maximum correctional facility - Ionia
141,400
Lakeland correctional facility - Coldwater
144,300
Muskegon correctional facility - Muskegon
145,300
Pine River correctional facility - St. Louis
141,500
Riverside correctional facility - Ionia
160,900
St. Louis correctional facility - St. Louis
280,400
Information technology services and projects
1,158,569

Total reductions: 7,861,269

Jeni,

Where in the world did you find this? This is the proposed cuts per facility or is this indeed the final cuts?

Deb

I found this on the MDOC website, the Government part, not the corrections part. It's under Executive orders, and I think there are 3 of them. (3 orders- and this is under the 3rd) I am not sure if this is proposed cuts or final cuts, but I think this MIGHT be final cuts. BUT, I could be totally wrong. Let me know if you find out ok?

WEll...now I see why my hubby is complaining about the food going down hill at Saginaw!!!

Mrs. d

I was wonderin if anyone knew when these early releases were taking effect? We see the parole board the first week of April and his ERD is July 16th. He's serving time for Home Invasion 2nd degree no weapon involved. I can't find anything anywhere and Lansing won't tell me anything! I'm just wondering when he gets his parole, if they might release him earlier than the ERD day. Wouldn't that be nice? Anyway, please let me know if you know anything.

Thank you,
Michelle

Hi .. I just registered today and this is my first post. I don't really have a reply or anything "earth moving" to say, but I am SO interested in this subject. There are so many unanswered questions and things that worry me constantly. I found this forum by sheer good fortune. I would LOVE to get a copy of a "score sheet" if that's possible....... sounds like it might help to know what the parole board goes by.

Welcome to the family, meadn :)

Another welcome to meadn......Glad you're here! You might want to post in the intro part so everyone can welcome you!!

Deb

Welcome Meadn, I think someone has that score thing so hopefully you will get the answer soon.

Witchlin

Welcome to PTO! Its wonderful here. Lots of nice people

Michigan prison update-
April 11, 2003
Fewer inmates could take classes in state prisons under a budget the state House approved Thursday for the Department of Corrections.

The move takes $8.5 million more out of such programs than had been proposed in Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget. She called for cutting $2.5 million which would have eliminated academic and vocational programs for maximum-security prisoners.

The House changes in the prison budget would leave about $25 million for education and vocational programs serving more than 50,000 prisoners.

Most Republicans supported Thursday's vote and most Democrats opposed it.

"I can't stand by and see Merit scholarships cut by 80 percent and adult education in the K-12 budget cut and not see a cut here," said state Rep. Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township.

Granholm has proposed cutting Merit scholarships from a maximum $2,500 to $500, but Republicans have vowed to keep the grants at their current level. The scholarships go to students who do well on the state's Michigan Educational Assessment Program test.

Democrats and several Republicans said the cuts would result in higher prison costs because state law requires inmates to get a high school equivalent diploma before they can be paroled. With longer waits to get into the class, the prison population would remain high.

Corrections department officials said they feared that losing the programs would put corrections officers in jeopardy.

"It would increase idleness, which could lead to some safety issues," said Russ Marlan, spokesman for the department. "And prisoners would leave prison without tools to achieve a successful release."

Vocational programs offered in the prison system include working on Habitat for Humanity homes and prison gardens, which produced 500,000 pounds of food last year, said Marlan.

The $1.7-billion Corrections budget uses a number of tools, including how parolees and drunken drivers are handled, to keep the prison population down to ensure that the state doesn't have to reopen two mothballed prisons. The budget now goes to the state Senate for approval.

Oh, if this isn't insane....ranks right up there with the other cuts in education and health care our state is doing....

Deb

Yup. But if they cut out classes for inmates, how will they beable to keep the inmates longer then necessary? They won't beable to tell them that they have to finish their class before they get considered for parole! Mmmh, sarcasm? But really, this is idiotic. I can't think of anything more stupid.

I don't get it.........i have always found growing my own food is FAR cheaper than buying it AND.........most of the prisons don't have the huge gardens that they had in the past so just what "gardens" are they referring to?

Sally

Ok here is the info i already know about in this MDOC system. 625 Non-Violent prisoners were to be released in March of this year. Another 7500 or are being reviewed. Also the latest is that drug offenders are getting a chance at early release even b4 their ERD. Not all the prisoners that were to be released went thru the parole board persay. They didn't actually get a hearing. Their cases were just evaluated and they were set free. I have been following this like the bible for months now and everyday something new happens. I just want to know if it also affects people who took plea agreements? Any info is GREAT info
Stacy

I really truly need to read Rob's PSI report. In the new sentence gudlines it refers to minimum sentencing for an amount. Alth he wasn't actually convicted on a certain amount, his PSI report states the amount. Under 50 grams requires a 2 and a hlf year sentence. Over that amount a five year minimum. Right now he is at a five year minimum. BUT if his PSI report states less than 50 grams then hopefully he can up on earlier parole in just about a year. Also the MDOC is taking into consideration offenders who cooperated with law enforcement. Does anybody know how to get a hold of the PSI report. I already called the clergy's office. Because it's not my PSI report I can't get it. I talked to the prosecuting attorney and she said she is not allowed to let me read it. His lawyer was a joke so no news there. Is there a way HE can request a copy and send it to me?
Stacy

He should have gotten a copy a long time ago.....Where did he put it? I'm sure that he can request a new copy from his counselor if he lost his first copy.....Good luck!

Deb

Oh Rock on Deb thanks alot cuz according to him he never got it either. I will tell him at visit tomorrow to request one from the counselor.

Stacy

OK BIG rumor in the prison system right now. BUT if it turns out to be truth ALL of us fighting drug sentences are going to be very happy people!!!! My Honey (Rob) called last night and said he heard that they were getting rid of the "Truth IN Sentencing" Law. And if anyone is up to date on that, that is the Law that was passed in 2002 to make sure all offenders do their minimum before they are eligible for parole. It got rid of all good behavior points. Anyway at this point it is only a rumor and I am going to go to the legislature (On my PC) and check it out myself. Hopefully I will find that it has been amended and is going to allow non-violent offenders a bigger chance at earlier parole. If anyone knows anything PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know. Thanks

Stacy

OOOPS I meant "truth in Sentencing" in 1998. So Ima dork lol

your link doesn't work for michigan dept. of corretions website

Imisshim--Sometimes their site is down, but if you type in Michigan Department of Corrections it should take you there...

Deb

I heard that in Jan of 05' Michigan has to go back and once again review all Parole Violators and a couple thousand inmates have to be released. They did this in May of this year, but the majority of the inmates were denied parole, so once again in Jan of 05' they will be given a second shot at FREEDOM. Whether or not his is true, who knows? It sound good though.

Do the scores go for all Michigan prisons?