Good Time Bill Rumors and Calls for Help

 No rumor has spread more often or been filled as fullly with information as rumors about good time bills have in prison. I remember just two or three years into my prison sentence having someone tell me that a good time bill had passed in Michigan. When I expressed skepticism, he assured me that he had a newspaper article to prove it. The problem? He could never produce the article. 

I suppose prisoners' desperate hope for good time feeds these unfortunate rumors. After all, Michigan is just one of six US states that have no form of good time for prisoners. It seems inevitable that eventually that will change. Of course, every prisoner hopes it happens in time to help reduce his or her sentence.

Here are the facts: Two or three years ago, Michigan Representative David LeGrand introduced a good time bill, which died in committee. Last year, a grassroots effort to put a good time bill on the Michigan ballot failed because Covid-19 made it nearly impossible to get the necessary signatures. Plans are now underway to reorganize the effort for inclusion on the 2022 election/voting cycle. 

Additionally, in 2020 Senator Jeff Irwin introduced SB1242, a good time bill, in the Michigan Senate. For reasons likely tied to the Senate's focus on covid-related issues, this bill also died in committee. Nevertheless, he is committed to re-introducing the bill in 2021. Michigan Justice Advocacy, a justice related advocacy organization, is working to organize the necessary resources to see this bill pass in 2021. 

It is time for Michgian to bring back the carrot side of criminal justice. Focusing on the stick (e.g. imprisonment) is an important part of holding those who commit crimes accountable, but the carrot (e.g. time off for good behavior) is also critical. Furthermore, Michigan's average sentences are 20% longer on average than other Midwestern states. If prisoners can earn time off their sentences for good behavior, it would bring Michigan in line with what 44 other states offer and reduce the average time Michigan's prisoners spend locked up. It would also free up financial resources that Michigan desperately needs as it recovers from the economic devastation Covid-19 has handed our state. 

You can help make good time a reality in Michigan. You can contact your legislator to urge passage of a good time bill, and you can get further involved. The Michigan Justice Advocacy organization is also looking for people who can help organize resources and join committees. If you would like to get involved, or even to stay updated on the critical work MJA is doing, use their social media presence at: 

Facebook: MIJusticeAdvocacyOrg
Instagram: @MIJusticeAdvocacy
Twitter: MIJustAdvocacy

Giving prisoners time off their sentences for good behavior does not fail to hold them accountable for their crimes. Instead, it encourages the changes they need to demonstate in order to leave prison safe, productive citizens. We can all get behind that goal.