Comments on: Corrections Reform Update

By: dick l. visser

dick l. visser — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:09:02 +0000

i agree with pam that good time credits would reduce the prison population. we also have to retrain the prisoners so that they are prepared to reenter society with skills to get a job or they will be right back in prison in no time. i think the prison administration made a big mistake in stopping the sell of cigarettes to prisoners. if this action causes unrest in the prison system we’ll have to increase the number of prison guard personel and that will mean more tax dollors wasted.

By: Pam

Pam — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:40:58 +0000

Why are discussions not had of “good time credits”. Why cannot those inmates who are quietly doing their time without incident be recognized and commended? This would be a proactive way of decreasing the numbers.

Rep Cushingberry presented legislation in February of 2007 (HB 4263) regarding good time credits. After his presentation absolutely nothing happened.

By: Eric W. Crosley

Eric W. Crosley — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:42:25 +0000

Dear John Bebow,

Greetings. Thank you very much for the fine reporting on our Michigan prison system and
related actions.

I taught for three years within our MDOC, first
for Jackson Community College in 1995 (unfortunately
the last of thirty years for that institution’s involvement in offering college education to our
Michigan felons), and second, for Montcalm Community
College, 1996-7, through their COPE program
(Community Opportunity Prison Extension).

I still have essays from my writing students,for the
purpose of writing a book, about our classes, which
would be called ,”Voices of Invisible Men”. Believe me, the wisdom contained in those essays could easily provide sage guidance for the reforms that are trying to happen in Michigan, finally. Almost,
always their voices are overlooked, to the detriment
of all of us.

A huge white elephant that hardly ever gets talked about, is our failed War on Drugs and its consider-
able contribution to our justice system problems
under discussion. I have been so broken-hearted to
see my country and Michigan develop into the champion prison builders on planet Earth. And an-
other white elephant, that hardly ever gets talked about, at the national or local levels, is the truly
tragic, comparative incarceration rates for white males, contrasted to males of color. It is a national disgrace, almost beyond comprehension, to
any intelligent human being who will dare look at the startling statistics.

John, I hope to hear from you about the above thoughts, at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

sincerely,

Eric W. Crosley