This week, Governor
Rick Snyder presented his Criminal Justice Special Message, citing
the importance of addressing root causes of criminal behavior and preparing
prisoners for reentry into their communities.
In his message the Governor reiterated his belief that we can create a safer, stronger Michigan if when
offenders return to their communities, they have a job and become productive
members of society, instead of turning back to a life of crime.
In his message
the Governor called for a series of changes that effectuates his ideology
regarding how the state
handles those convicted of crimes.
The
Governor’s message
on criminal justice contained several major requests of the
Legislature, including bills to parole inmates from prison once they reach
their earliest release date if the Department of Corrections determines they
have a high likelihood of succeeding outside of prison. The Governor also suggested setting a 30-day
cap on incarceration for the most common types of probation violations.
Currently,
the State of Michigan spends $250 million annually to incarcerate probation
violators, and counties spend $57 million annually to jail probation violators.
The
Governor also suggested there may be cost savings in changing how Michigan
deals with treating elderly inmates and those with severe illnesses serving
life sentences given the high cost of medical care. Although the Governor is opposed to early
release for these criminals, he suggested working with the legislature to find
a viable solution.
Law
enforcement, including Michigan’s Attorney General had a mixed reaction to the
message because their focus has been on incarceration and victims in the past.
Certain
bills from legislators in both chambers have already been introduced and may
help move forward the Governor’s criminal justice reform agenda.
Some of the reforms that
would require legislative approval include:
Protecting
crime victims by funding free service of Personal Protection Orders by law
enforcement and successfully collecting restitution from offenders.
Cultivating
the best possible police force by expanding diversity through recruitment,
establishing a Michigan State Police Cadet Program and connecting law
enforcement officers with community partnerships.
Calling
on the Legislature to review funding for training prosecutors and public
defenders, as well as helping exonerees find their footing again.
Providing
wraparound services to help ex-offenders, including the possibility of placing
a parole officer at a workplace if a sufficient number of ex-offenders are
employed there.
Having
the Department of Health and Human Services require quality metrics to measure
outcomes from juvenile justice providers.
Asking
the Legislature to make diversion programming the default placement for
juveniles, based on needs and risk assessments.
Pairing
MSP with the Department of Technology, Management and Budget to create a joint
forensic team that will detect and investigate cybercrimes.
Reviewing
with the intent to sign bills passed by the Legislature that expand the use of
the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which allows younger offenders to successfully
complete probation or incarceration in exchange for not having the offense
appear on their permanent record.
Encouraging
counties to reconsider pretrial detention practices, saving taxpayers money on
jail costs and protecting offenders from potentially losing a job.
Examining
the possibility of placing terminally ill and elderly prisoners in settings
that could be more cost effective.
Ensuring
MDOC’s compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act.