Prison policy
Thank you for your March 20 editorial, "Prisons: State has to conserve prison
space for worst offenders," and for your consistent reminders that
prisons are an expensive resource, to be used only when necessary for public
protection.
About 16,000 prisoners have completed their minimum sentences. Research shows
the governor's proposal to expedite the parole of 5,000
will not increase overall crime rates. The majority will not re-offend. Few will
commit assaultive offenses.
Michigan added 13,000 prisoners in the last 13 years because of "get tough"
policies that have little impact on safety. Returning to moderate
practices, once routine, could reduce the population by 8,000 and save $230
million for important services. These practices include following
parole guidelines, awarding modest time off for good behavior, enforcing the
"lifer law" and not returning "technical" parole violators to prison
for so long. Details appear at our Web site,
www.capps-mi.org.
Ron Bretz
president, Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending
Lansing