All prisoners must serve
at least minimum
sentences

By Jeff Sauder, Eaton County Prosecutor

Michigan needs truth in sentencing, not

deceptive sentencing. Its citizens deserve the
truth -- 100% of the truth -- not half truths or
partial truths from their elected officials,
especially about the criminal justice system.

Truth in sentencing is the cornerstone of a
balanced criminal justice system, because crime
victims, criminal defendants and the public know
and understand the exact consequences of a
felony prison sentence.

It is simple in its application: A felon sentenced
to prison in Michigan since Jan. 1, 1999, must
serve the minimum sentence in prison.

The operation of a criminal justice system is one
of the essential functions of government. Public
safety is a compact between a government and
its citizens. If public safety isn't assured, schools
cannot teach and businesses cannot do business.
That basic tenet proves that criminal justice is
not the area to save money for the sake of
expediency.

But some legislators argue that 85% of the truth
should be good enough. They believe that it is
common sense that Michigan should go back to
allowing the early release of prisoners.

Only 10% of felons are initially committed to prison
in Michigan. Even including probation violations, less
 than 22% of felons ever see a prison.
 If Michigan judges are currently keeping 78%
of felons out of prison, perhaps they are due a little
more respect for the sentencing decisions they have made.
No matter what you call it -- "good time" or "early release" --
 those proposals wouldreturn us to the days when no one
 knew how long a prisoner would be incarcerated.
Back then, early-release decisions were made using
 a confusing patchwork of "good time,"
and "special good time credits," which could be given,
 taken away, and given back by bureaucrats
outside the public view.

We've been down this "good time" road before. Our citizens
 were so confused and outraged by deceptive sentences and
 revolving prison doors that in 1978 they passed a citizens initiative to
 ban those credits, approving the measure by a margin of more than
 70%. Voters have clearlyrejected early release as being common sense.

The state has to make tough budgetary choices, and Michigan's
 prosecuting attorneys stand ready to work with the governor
 and Legislature to determine who should be in prison, and for
how long.

Public safety has always been the first priority of government,
 and that duty cannot be shirked by simply cutting costs and
 hoping that public safety doesn't suffer.

Citizens deserve the truth -- the complete truth, and nothing less.