Space in Michigan’s prisons is becoming more and more expensive. The
state’s parole board ought to be measuring the cost of keeping prisoners
behind bars against the possible risk to society.
The state’s $1.7 billion corrections budget accounts for nearly 25
percent of all of the revenue in its General Fund. While the number of
state employees has fallen by 15,000 during the last two decades, the
number of Corrections Department workers has risen by more than 12,000
during the same period.
As The Detroit News recently reported, there are 17,000 inmates in
Michigan’s prison system who are eligible for parole — having served
time beyond their minimum sentences. According to a recent study by a
pro-parole group, housing all of these inmates is costing the state $497
million.
Within this group, The News reported, there are 834 “lifers” who are
eligible for parole. These ae prisoners whose sentences could last as
long as life in prison, but who could be released at the discretion of
the parole board.
Their sentences are not the “life without parole” punishment meted
out to those convicted of premeditated murder.
State prison officials have estimated that only about 8,000 of the
17,000 inmates eligible for parole are good prospects for release —
since the other prisoners have either created problems in prison or have
been convicted of very violent crimes.
But some of the “lifers” could be paroled, according to judges
questioned in a recent survey, The News reported. The judges note that
they expected the parole board to release some of these prisoners after
10 to 20 years or so — the usual length of incarceration before the
current parole system was created at the beginning of the decade.
To be sure, too often prisoners in the 1970s and 1980s were released
without enough consideration for the safety of society — which led to
changes in the structure and policy of the parole board under Gov. John
Engler a decade ago.
But it’s fair to ask if the pendulum hasn’t swung too far in the
other direction. We have argued for the release of very old prisoners —
and more careful consideration of release of other inmates.
The parole board could accomplish this goal by a few policy changes.
Already, Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s administration has stopped the
practice of keeping prisoners behind bars for several months after a
decision has been made to release them.
In addition, if the board decides against granting a parole, it ought
to have to give a short statement on why that decision was made, rather
than simply writing “no interest” on a prisoner’s parole application
file.
This doesn’t mean there should be a presumptive right to parole, but
it does mean that an applicant has the right to know if there’s
something he can do to improve his chances for release.
It is unrealistic to assume that the state could solve a major
portion of its budget problems simply by releasing more prisoners. State
prisons now house more violent inmates. A savings of $497 million is out
of the picture. But as The News reported, simply speeding up the release
of those prisoners already destined for parole will save $7 million.
More millions could be saved by the judicious release of more
prisoners who pose less of a risk. And right now, millions need to be
saved.
Members of the parole board are appointed to exercise judgment and
discretion. They should use more of it.
You can send us a fax at 313/222-6417. And we can still be reached
the old-fashioned way, by mail, at 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI
48226. Please include home and work phone numbers, plus city of
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