Detroit News, September 20, 2014

Click here for the full editorial. Excerpt below:

Revamping the guidelines for youths could have an added benefit of reducing the state’s hefty $2 billion corrections budget. Allowing those who are not a danger to society to go free or keeping some from ever having to serve time behind bars may not drastically cut the operating expenses, but every bit of savings will help.

Supportive lawmakers hope to have proposals revamping juvenile punishment and addressing retroactivity ready for the legislature by the first of the year. Lawmakers should bring Michigan in line with other states in adding compassion and common sense to the juvenile criminal code.