Opinion: Prisons should reinstitute ‘good time’
The yearly operating budget of the Michigan Department of Corrections is over 2 billion dollars, consuming a quarter of the State’s resources. This is far more than what Michigan spends on education. While no one doubts the necessity of prisons, reducing expenditures without sacrificing education is possible.
In recent years, Michigan’s legislators have considered various reforms but have passed few laws to significantly impact the prison system. This stagnation revolves around the negative emotions that crime generates, making prison reform unpopular for politicians. Furthermore, discerning which policies are the most effective at preventing future crime is difficult.
Nevertheless, the benefits of some reforms are self-evident. According to Dora Schriro in “Is Good time a Good Idea? A Practitioner’s Perspective,” “good time” encourages prisoners to engage in prosocial behavior, such as remaining misconduct free and participating in rehabilitation programs. The Rand Corporation’s MetaAnalysis of correctional education (spanning 32 years of research) has demonstrated that education reduces recidivism by 43 percent, thereby saving taxpayers the cost of re-incarceration while fostering public safety via crime prevention. Additionally, awarding prisoners with time reductions towards their sentences for good behavior reduces recidivism rates in and of itself. Good time simply provides prisoners incentive to develop good habits that keep them out of trouble and make them more fit to lead productive, law abiding lives.
Despite this evidence, Michigan is one out of only six states that do not offer any type of good time to its state prison population, regardless of whether it is based on meritorious conduct or earned through graduating from an educational program such as college. However, time reductions are presently available to inmates housed in Michigan’s county jails (they earn one-day credit for every six days served without disciplinary issues). Despite this, many Michigan voters have no idea that state prisoners sentenced after 2001 cannot earn any type of sentence reductions for good behavior, short of an extremely rare executive commutation or pardon. In essence, incarcerated people must serve their minimum no matter what they do, or how they change.
Opponents of good time argue that it reduces prosecutorial and legislative discretion. While true, good time also empowers correctional officials to reduce the sentences of prisoners who are no longer a threat to society. Furthermore, any argument that good time endangers Michigan’s communities fails, for the parole board still has discretion to refuse to parole prisoners until they reach their maximum sentence, which is often five to 50 years longer than their minimum. By this time, even the hardest criminals “age out” of their wayward life.
Recognizing the benefits good time offers Michigan and its prison population, Representatives Martin Howrylak (R) and David LaGrand (D) recently introduced House Bills 5665, 5666 and 5667 to reinstitute good time. The legislation provides time reductions beginning with five days earned per month for the first two years, gradually increasing to 15 days earned per month by the time a prisoner has served 20 years. Good time is only earned during months where prisoners are major misconduct free. Some people may oppose offering any type of leniency towards people serving time for a serious crime, or applying good time credits to those who are already serving time; however, studies show that people convicted of violent crimes are less likely to recidivate than either drug or property offenders. Furthermore, applying this law retroactively allows prison administrators to quickly and safely reduce Michigan’s prison population, which currently hovers around 40,000 in order to close down several prisons. This instant savings can be used for things that the State desperately needs, such as improving its schools and roads.
Criminal justice reform in Michigan is primed for reducing government waste and decreasing crime rates. Michigan residents who want Michigan to begin a “Smart on Crime” approach should contact their State Legislator today to support the passage of the good time bills.
Gilda King • Feb 19, 2020 at 5:59 pm
I believe the Good Time Bill. Should be reinstated. There are a lot of people in there that are good..if they go by the rules, and beyond, it would give the good ones a change to prove their self. Something to work for so they can return to their loved ones. I love and miss my loved one soo much ! I pray the law makers make the right decision.
Lanique Jordan • Jan 19, 2020 at 10:10 pm
Bring good time back to Michigan
Rachel B doan • Oct 12, 2019 at 10:02 pm
They need to bring back goodtime for the simple fact tht everyone deserves a chance to change especially when they have but yall hold them in prison like dog’s smh
Kimberly • Jun 27, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Good time should be brought back. Give them a reason to want to not get into trouble in there. Give them a reason to complete programs that they do.
leora patch • Jun 18, 2019 at 1:24 pm
My son never had any encounter with the law until he was 52 and was “set up” by his wife & stepdaughter to end up in prison. He lived until then trying to live a productive life in service to his family & community. He went to prison with a determination to accept his punishment and not let it destroy him. There is no reason to destroy people who are incarcerated in order to serve justice.
Robert Pence • Jun 12, 2019 at 10:00 pm
I believe good time credit should be implemented in Michigan. There are many people in MDOC that deserve this opportunity.
I also believe the sex offender registry shoukd be eliminated. It is a life sentence that continues for many people after they have done their time
I would much rather see the person that is prone to break into my house or kill me on a list than a sex offender.
We are paying too much to house prisoners. MDOC is very short on personnel and are currently forcing overtime on employees that struggle with their work environment. Prison is a sad place for workers and inmates.
Good times credit!
Kristinveith • May 2, 2019 at 6:27 pm
I think Michigan should bring back goodtime
Samekia Brown • Dec 28, 2018 at 5:09 pm
I think. Michigan should bring good time back for Michigan prisoners. Ever one deserves a 2 chance at life. And Michigan need to put more money in to are schools
Kathleen Apsey • Aug 29, 2018 at 9:52 pm
I feel that Michigan needs to bring back the good time bill as well as get rid of the sex offender registry. The registry to me unconstitutional. How are they suppose to become respected citizens if there labeled for the rest of their lives.