The Detroit Free Press has called on Michigan legislators and Gov. Jennifer Granholm to make reform of the criminal justice system "the centerpiece of restructuring state government this year." In an editorial, the paper calls for such reforms as restoration of good-time credits for convicts, approval of new sentencing guidelines to divert hundreds of offenders from prison to lower-cost community corrections programs, and repeal of Michigan's juvenile lifer law.
The paper says, "Creating a cost-effective, safe and humane corrections system that protects the public, sends less-dangerous offenders to community alternatives, treats people with substance abuse and mental health problems, and returns offenders to society with adequate employment and coping skills will take substantial legal and policy changes."
Posted by tom winchester
Monday, January 11, 2010 08:34
Thank you Free Press for taking a stand on this topic. My adopted 16 year old son is incarcerated at a private juvenile facility. At this time are we providing a cost-effective, safe and humane correction system form our children? After being involved with the system my answer is no. What we are doing is using our prison system to treat our children with mental and emotional disorders. I have contacted Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office several times with very little results. We have a system that is less human than most middle eastern countries. Is going to a private system a good move for reform. No! The potential for abuse is greater in a private system than a public one. As a parent and a teacher, I too call on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to put reform at the top of her to do list for the state of Michigan.