Lifers Bill to reform judicial veto process for lifers introduced House Bill 5575 would address the problem of a successor judge who is unfamiliar with the case objecting to the release of a parole-eligible lifer.  Introduced by Rep. Ellen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), the bill would prevent successors to the original sentencing judge from exercising the power to veto a lifer parole.  In the last five years, 38 parolable lifers for whom the board wanted to hold public hearings were vetoed by successor judges.  To see the bill, click here.  To read more about the bill's history and rationale, click here.  No way out: Michigan's parole board redefines the meaning of 'life', September 2004.  A 72-page report by CAPPS on the origins and application of Michigan's Lifer Law; includes profiles of 20 lifers and recommendations for changing the parole review process. When 'life' did not mean life: A Historical Analysis of Life Sentences Imposed in Michigan Since 1900, September 2006 The meaning of life: Restoring fairness to Michigan's parole system A video presentation on the plight of parolable lifers.  Click on your preferred format below: Windows Media (Internet Explorer users only) Real Player Quick Time Note: Those with dial-up modems may not be able to view this presentation.   Lifer Paroles, Commutations get parole board's attention, Consensus, Fall 2010 Lifer paroles and commutations: Increase in hearings still can't meet need, Consensus, Winter 2010 Rethinking life sentences by Judy Putnam , Booth Newspapers, Lansing Bureau (5-21-06) Prisoners say system has unfairly changed by Judy Putnam, Booth Newspapers, Lansing Bureau (5-21-06) What Should "Parolable Life" Mean?  A survey conducted by Prisons & Corrections Section, State Bar of Michigan;, March 2002 The Meaning of “life”: Long Prison Sentences in Context (March 2004) (prepared by Marc Mauer, Ryan King, and Malcolm C. Young, Assistant Director,Research Associate, and Executive Director respectively, of The Sentencing Project) Kenneth Foster-Bey, et al. v John S. Rubitschun, et al. This class action suit on behalf of parole-eligible lifers claims the "life means life" policy violates the ex post facto clause of the U.S. Constitution.   ■ Background of case A federal class action law suit filed in 2005, Foster-Bey, et al v Sampson, et al. required the Michigan parole board to systematically review all the parolable lifers sentenced before Nov. 1992.  ■ District Court Opinion ■ Plaintiffs' brief to Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ■ Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion ■ Plaintiffs' Petition to U.S. Supreme Court   HB 4518, 4594, 4595, 4596 (2009-2010 session) - Bills regarding Juveniles Life without Parole.  CAPPS Testimony prepared for House Judiciary Committee on HBs 4518, 4594-96; June 23, 2010   Supports amendment to HB 4594 to include uniform criteria a judge must consider in deciding whether to impose non-parolable life sentence on teenager.  Opposes HB 4596 on parole consideration for those sentenced to life without parole because of overly limited circumstances. Second Chances: Juveniles serving life without parole in Michigan prisons, by DeborahLaBelle, Director of the Juvenile Life Without Parole Initiative, Anna Phillips, Research Coordinator, and Laural Horton, Research Assistan, 2004 Policy Statement on Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentences by the Prisons and Corrections Section, State Bar of Michigan, May 6, 2006 The parole process for lifers, a flow chart  Back to Top

 

Gary Gabry, chair of the Michigan Parole Board, 1992-1997