Budget issues drive call for reforms
Spurred by overcrowded prisons, a state deficit totaling nearly $3 billion, and a $1.9 billion corrections budget, Michigan policy makers are re-examining the state’s sentencing and corrections policies.
Tom Clay, of the policy group Citizens Research Council, framed the dilemma facing policy makers by explaining that Michigan’s rate of incarceration (number of people imprisoned per 100,000 residents) is over 40 percent higher than seven other Great Lakes states. The higher rate is caused by a combination of longer prison sentences for many crimes and less frequent use of alternative forms of incarceration and supervision. Clay noted that if Michigan had an incarceration rate that was equal to the average of these seven states, the state might be able to reduce corrections spending by as much as $500 million a year. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Michigan has the 11th highest incarceration rate in the nation.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has declared her intention to relieve prison overcrowding by a combination of policies that would provide earlier release to many medically fragile, elderly, and low-level nonviolent offenders.
2007 reform agenda
FAMM will introduce a package of reforms that will build on the 2006 “McConico Package” that received a favorable bipartisan vote in the House Judiciary Committee but stalled in the last days of the legislative session.
Among FAMM's goals for 2007 are expansion of early parole eligibility provisions, elimination of life without parole for second drug offenses over 50 grams, parole eligibility for individuals serving life without parole for second drug offenses, extension of the 2003 early parole eligibility provisions to prisoners serving the lowest-level drug offense and addressing barriers to parole eligibility for "650 Lifers," and enact “clean up” language to codify recent Supreme Court decisions granting early parole eligibility to “pipeline” cases (individuals whose offenses were committed before March 1, 2003, but who were convicted after that date), consistent with FAMM’s 2003 reforms (Public Act 670).
“These long-overdue sentencing reforms will resolve inconsistencies and duplication in the current law and reduce the need for expensive prison beds,” said Sager. “We believe the time is ripe to address those left behind after the 1998 and 2003 reforms of the mandatory minimum drug laws.”
While Rep. Bill McConico (D-Detroit), the previous sponsor of the reforms, is no longer a state representative, a number of legislators have indicated interest in sponsoring or cosponsoring bills to implement the FAMM agenda.
“We will also recommend that the legislature study the impact and proportionality of the current sentencing guidelines,” said Sager. “In addition, FAMM will continue to highlight the importance of investing in cost-effective substance abuse treatment services, drug courts, and re-entry programs that help incarcerated individuals return to their families and communities as tax-paying, productive citizens.”
Michigan FAMM members will receive additional information about meetings and events where they can discuss and comment on the bills. For more information or to make recommendations, please contact tomburkert@famm.org or call Tom at (517) 487-1261. Check www.famm.org for the latest information and be sure to send FAMM your updated address and email information – this is especially important for those of you who have moved inside or outside the corrections system!
Words of thanks
Michigan FAMM members extend their deepest appreciation to former Rep. Bill McConico (D-Detroit) and his staff members Eric Davis and Burt Johnson for their many years of support for the FAMM reform effort. In addition, FAMM thanks former Rep. William Van Regenmorter (R-Hudsonville Township) for his support of the 2006 reform effort. Michigan FAMM members benefited greatly from the generous donation of time and expertise by attorney Margaret Raben, who will continue to work with FAMM in the coming year. A special thank you also goes to political consultant Noah Smith, of Capitol Services, Inc., for his hard work on behalf of FAMM members. We also extend our appreciation to Larry Julian, former state representative and political consultant, who provided critical support to the effort in the final months of 2006.