Another news story on the CAPPS reports released Feb 12, 2014 (see reports this website). Note that a survey by the Prisons and Corrections Section of the State Bar of Michigan documented judges’ intentions in sentencing parolable lifers. You can find that survey on this website at :
By Rick Pluta | WKAR.org | February 12, 2014
A new report says Michigan’s parole system is too stingy when it comes to releasing prisoners with sentences of up to life in prison.
The report by the Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending says there are 850 lifers in Michigan prison for second-degree murder and other violent crimes who could be paroled. In many cases, they’re older and the report says very unlikely to re-offend.
In the Legislature, lawmakers like Republican Representative Martin Howrylak are looking for ways to trim corrections costs.
“Instead of being tough on crime, what we’ve actually been is dumb on crime, and now it is time to be smart on crime,” he says.
The state Department of Corrections says life sentences are rarely handed down when judges have other options – and that’s why it makes sense to be extra careful when it comes to granting parole to inmates with sentences of up to life in prison.