What will YOU do about it?
Michigan State Representative Joe Haveman, Republican from Holland, was addressing 75 people keenly interested in sentencing and Parole Board reform. The Michigan primary election had been held earlier the same week.
"How many people here voted on Tuesday?" Among the 75, a paltry few hands went up.
"Before you voted, how many of you met with the candidates to find out their views on prison issues?" One hand went up.
And there, boys and girls, is the problem.
75 people, all in the same room, demanding reform, and nobody doing anything about it.
There are a few very simple facts that you can discuss with your state legislators.
-One of every five dollars in our state general fund budget goes to corrections: more than any other state!
-Michigan keeps people in prison longer than any other state!
-Michigan's Parole Board in many cases has taken over the role of judge, and is greatly responsible for our prison over-population!
The big question isn't what HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS is going to do about it. Or CITIZENS ALLIANCE ON PRISONS & PUBLIC SPENDING. Or CITIZENS FOR PRISON REFORM. Or MICHIGAN COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY.
The question is what YOU will do about it!
Our only hope for reform is by responsible legislation. Legislators as well as the Governor are elected to office. They listen to voters, but only if voters speak up. If you do not go to the polls, and you do not speak to your elected officials, you're simply going to have to remain silent. You're not cooperating. You're not helping. You're part of the problem.
Let's made a decision today to make a difference. List the three points mentioned above in your missive to elected officials, demand an opinion, request action, and express outrage.
Prisoner advocacy agencies in this state are working hard. Now it's your turn.
"How many people here voted on Tuesday?" Among the 75, a paltry few hands went up.
"Before you voted, how many of you met with the candidates to find out their views on prison issues?" One hand went up.
And there, boys and girls, is the problem.
75 people, all in the same room, demanding reform, and nobody doing anything about it.
There are a few very simple facts that you can discuss with your state legislators.
-One of every five dollars in our state general fund budget goes to corrections: more than any other state!
-Michigan keeps people in prison longer than any other state!
-Michigan's Parole Board in many cases has taken over the role of judge, and is greatly responsible for our prison over-population!
The big question isn't what HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS is going to do about it. Or CITIZENS ALLIANCE ON PRISONS & PUBLIC SPENDING. Or CITIZENS FOR PRISON REFORM. Or MICHIGAN COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY.
The question is what YOU will do about it!
Our only hope for reform is by responsible legislation. Legislators as well as the Governor are elected to office. They listen to voters, but only if voters speak up. If you do not go to the polls, and you do not speak to your elected officials, you're simply going to have to remain silent. You're not cooperating. You're not helping. You're part of the problem.
Let's made a decision today to make a difference. List the three points mentioned above in your missive to elected officials, demand an opinion, request action, and express outrage.
Prisoner advocacy agencies in this state are working hard. Now it's your turn.
Comments
Why do you stand mute when they level drop 2's to Level 1 only to get your loved one in trouble or beaten, get tickets and stay longer? We know Dan Heyns games.
Why do the state and federal tax payers that know nobody in jail/prison allow Dan Heyns and Rick Snyder to take $883,591,602.13 in quarter 1 only, refuse simple audits, allow $1 of every $5 to go to corrections? You don't say "YOUR FIRED?" Are you okay that Dan Heyns and Rick Snyder giving bonus' to corrections officers to write tickets keeping inmates in longer?
Why do the family members, wifes, fathers never call the state reps and demand their inmate to be at the right classification levels, get the classes that should be offered to them, and you do nothing about eating maggots? PEOPLE, YOU MUST DO SOMETHING, YOUR LOVED ONE NEEDS YOU. TAKE A STEP, DO SOMETHING TO HELP ALL OF US!
Vote for the 2 Mark's - Mark Schauer and Mark Totten