Did anyone hear J. Granholm's speech today? I was wondering if she said anything at all about the future of Michigan inmates and etc? From the little news flashes I actually did see, it doesn't seem that prison cuts were even brought up. Anyone know?

I didn't catch it as I was at work, but I did get the latest MI-CURE today. They state that the parole board was not eliminated and that the early release proposal did not pass during Engler's last days......All that passed was the drug reduced sentencing stuff. The new sentencing still seem inhumanely long to me.....

Deb

Hi Jeni, I found a link to the speech
http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--60490--,00.html

Thanks for the link! :)
It would seem to me that Granholm would HAVE to do more with the prison industry if she wants to start eliminating the deficit. I mean, with all the people that are STILL locked up, and the waiting list of people yet to go in, what other choice does she have? Every day people are committing horrible crimes and getting locked up. That is not going to change. Maybe come March she will have more to say on the subject. I really hope she does.

well also I couldnt help but think that when she said that Michigan is on the bottom quarter of what people are earning, perhaps if she let out the thousands of men and women who want to be working it might make a big difference. Sorry but I am dissapointed that nothing was really mentioned and considering its a crisis that is just getting worse daily I would think it would be very important, but I guess it sounds like other things are too in Michigan.
Im getting irritated because James is suppose to hear 30 days before his parole hearing and they are suppose to be conducting them the first week of March and he hasnt received any kind of notice from them. I wish I knew what was going on.
So Jeni, by referring to March, is that cause she is making another speech in March ?

I think in March she is going to propose her budget outline, so maybe thats when she will talk about what she will be doing with prison issues. Maybe she didn't want to bring up prison issues during this speech because, as we all know, alot of people would not be thrilled to hear that she is proposing early release for inmates. Not the most popular thing to say ya know? So maybe she is not going to make a HUGE deal about it cuz she doesn't want the publicity? Wishful thinking I know, but hey, nothing surprises me anymore.
You are SO right when you say that if we were to let out some of the men and women who would LOVE to be working right now, it would definitely make a huge difference. I mean, Robert alone had two almost full time jobs! Look at all the taxes he was paying! LOL
So, James is supposed to go up for parole in March? Do they give all inmates 30 days notice before going up?

I just read it and she's still talking about locking up more "violent offenders" and getting them off the street as she says.....Doesn't sound like she's for release of inmates to me.

Deb

Today, my husband and I spoke of my writing a letter with suggestions on how the prison system can make economical changes....

I haven't met a prisoner yet who has said he would NOT eat home grown veggies, grown at each prison!! Yet, the state only grows a minimal amount of their own food. THey do have their milk cows and they do grow potatoes...but what about the rest!!!!!

IS anyone interested in giving me some ideas???

Jeni, from what Ive read they have to receive the notice in no less than 30 days prior to the hearing. It is less than 30 days from the week they are suppose to be up there doing hearings. Something tells me something has gone wrong, I really hope not. I think I better phone his councillor tomorrow.

I think those ideas are good mrs. You could also bring up inmates not being in as long (!) as they could be released and save the state $. They could even be mandated to counseling on the outside, whatever, we all know outpatient is cheaper than inpatient if we equate this to healthcare. Same diff. Allow us to bring in clothes for them so they don't need the state issued clothes. Allow us to bring in "care packages" that include shampoo, toothpaste, etc... every month or two. Allow more visits as it reduces recidivism. Allow conjugal visits (grin) as that would really reduce recidivism and problems in there as they could say the inmate must be ticket free like they do in states that allow them. Just a few ideas quickly off the top of my head!

Deb

Those are really good ideas Deb. I actually wrote a letter to Granholm and sent it last week. I do not think she will respond to it, if she even reads it, but I feel better that I actually did something. I didn't ask her to release Robert or anything like that. (like she would right? lol) I just explained his situation, and how he got 12 months for a prison infraction. I told her what the infraction was (trying to show her how SILLY it was) and that he was getting more time for that then what he originally got for the parole violation. I guess I just wanted to show her what is really going on inside those prison walls. I wanted to make her REALLY aware of the parole board flopping people for ridiculous amounts of time when they KNOW that THAT particular inmate is not a threat to society. In everything I have read about her, it seems that she is not happy with the fact that so many men are way over their ERD's, and that she is not happy with the general direction the MDOC seems to be going in. But, maybe I misunderstood cuz lately that doesn't seem to be the case.

I noticed when there is an article in the newspaper and its online, you can write a response to it on some of the newspapers. I read some of the responses from the public a few weeks back and was really sickened by the fact that the majority of the responses seem to be under the impression that these people that could be released are very dangerous people. Unfortunately the majority of the inmates that can be released, if they are a danger at all would only be to themselves if they have a substance abuse problem and arent getting help for it. In our case, he stole a tank of gas and his max out date is 20 years which makes me sick. Last year when they gave him another 12 month flop I really couldnt believe it. He is a welder and a builder, prior to being in prison he worked very hard paying taxes, child support and was actively part of his childrens life and wasnt a burden to society. He wasnt a danger in any way. He made a mistake and though drugs have been a problem for him in the past, he has worked hard to get threw all the programs that he can get into in order to help himself. Why he wouldnt be released last year or the year before is beyond me and Im sure there are plenty of people that arent in any way a danger to society and stuck in the system. It makes me mad that the general public seem to think that everyone in prison is dangerous. What something like that does to a mans soul is probably more dangerous. I think that if there is another article that I come across with a response thing, I will put the link here in case any of you would like to express another point of view. There is probably more chance that it would be heard there than the governor who is probably very overwhelmed with the job in hand. Educating the general public who votes for her would probably be more effective I would think. Perhaps there are other places that things can be expressed regarding this as well. Any suggestions ?
I think Debs ideas are great, to bad we couldnt all be in charge of saving them some money. A bunch of thrifty women could sort them out pretty fast I bet.

witchinblue,

You post the sites, I'll respond. I'm sure Jeni, mrsdragon, marie and others would too.

Deb

Ok cool, no problem at all, I think it would be great cause we certainly have something to say I'm sure.

I would love the opportunity to respond!!

I would absolutely respond!!! ;)