Your column appears in the DeWitt Bath Review where I read your recent editorial about Michigan’s need for a financial plan. One element of your proposal is “Achieving general efficiencies and management savings in the Michigan prison system.” I agree that this state spends far too much on prisons. I don’t know what “efficiencies” you are contemplating and I don’t know whether management is overpaid or over-represented in the overall scheme there. But I do know that many prisoners are serving long sentences for drug offenses. I also know that Michigan eliminated “good time” credits that would have made it possible for some prisoners to earn release before serving their minimum sentences. I believe that fewer prisoners who are parole-eligible are getting paroled now because of some repeat offenders who were out on parole when they re-offended.

My point is that the number of prisoners being housed in our prisons might be reduced and that should be the focus of our concern about prison expenses, in addition to finding efficiencies in the way they are managed.

I don’t know whether you have publicly expressed an opinion on legalization of marijuana. I understand that decriminalization of marijuana is a federal matter. However, I believe that judges should have greater discretion in sentencing, that there should be good time credits, and that the public (and parole board) should accept that there will be repeat offenders and the answer to that is not to keep everyone in prison until they max out.

My inspiration for writing to you comes from a column in today’s Lansing State Journal written by Kathleen Parker. I, as a 62-year-old woman who does not use drugs or alcohol, believe that it is wrong to put young people in prison for using marijuana. Apparently, this idea has traction, even among conservative women. Please read Ms. Parker’s column:

http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2009/10/21/opinion/srv0000006661136.prt

Thanks

Bob

Phil,

I wish folks would use the word ‘representatives’ instead of leaders. I don’t elect ‘leaders’. They are in fact representatives and need to be reminded of that every day, to have action in Lansing reflect the will of our residents. We should never feed the ego of those in elected office by referring to them as anything more than front line public servants. The Big Heads in Lansing are part of Michigan’s problem.

For example: We have seatbelt laws that the vast majority of residents do not approve of. We have K-12 funding reductions that the vast majority do not approve of. We have prison spending that the vast majority do not approve of. And on and on.

Certainly, we all have misused in the past the statement ‘we look to Lansing for leadership’. I do not. I look for them to do what they are told, including the first few of the recommendations of your article on Prison Spending, etc, which I think are fairly common ground for citizens.

Best Regards,

John

It is disappointing that Mr. Power can so easily trash the term limits without any expalanation or descriptioin of how change would help. However, this approach is consistant with the politics of state government that contributed to us getting into the situation that triggered this article. The politicians/media speak what they like, repeat what is said by many other politicians and by the media but never take the time to understand why something was put in place or how/why it isn’t working, or establish what the expectations are for an alternative.
I believe that accountability in legislation (laws and regualtions), of goevernment and the services its provides, and of the elected officals could be a foundation block in achieveing and sustaining the future Mr. Power talks about.