Call to Action: Please Support New Good Time Legislation Introduced in Michigan

 Twenty-twenty-one has been a highly unusual year, in many regards. Covid-19, and its destructive effects on our society, continues to complicate many people's lives. But this year has been unique in other ways too. For the first time in decades, the Michigan legislature is considering several bills that would change the lives of thousands of Michiganders affected by the criminal justice system. 

Two House bills have been introduced, but are still sitting in committee, to give prisoners an opportunity to earn time off their sentences. One, HB 4489, would afford prisoners the opportunity to earn disciplinary credits for good behavior. If this bill passed, prisoners could earn time off using a graduated scale. The longer term they serve in prison, the more time per year they could earn off their sentence. 

Another House bill, HB 4670, would give prisoners the opportunity to earn time off their sentences by pursuing education. Commonly referred to as the "Productivity Credits Bill," this bill would limit the amount of time a prisoner could earn off, up to two years maximum. It would also restrict the credit to low-level crimes (ironically, those with the highest recidivism rates), and it would not be retroactive to people already in prison. 

On September 22, another "Good Time" bill was introduced, this time in the Senate. After months of consulting, advocacy, meetings with legislators, and drafting and re-drafting, SB 649 (along with its companion bills) was introduced to the Senate. This good time bill would allow prisoners to earn day-for-day time off their sentences for good behavior. In other words, if prisoners go 30 days without a misconduct, they would earn 30 days off their sentences. It's an aggressive bill, but it also considers that Michigan's average sentences are longer than other surrounding states, including many in Michigan prisons who are serving very long indeterminate sentences. 

Michigan Justice Advocacy (MJA) has spearheaded the work on this bill, and they are serious about advocating for its passage. They are asking, and I am too, that you support the passage of SB 649 by urging your legislator to support it. Contacting your legislator is easy--it only takes a phone call or email--but MJA has made it even easier. You can visit their website to send your legislator a support email, which you can customize as you'd like. Please do so now, by visiting www.mijustice.org/sign

Victims of crime deserve justice, and an offender's prison sentence is part of that justice. Yet, lengthy sentences, with no incentive for reformed behavior, like Michigan's current system ought to change. It's time Michigan joins the rest of the other 49 states in the Union and offers prisoners an opportunity to reduce their sentences through productive, positive use of their time in prison. Reformed lives, not unnecessarily long sentences ought to be the goal of justice.

Please support bringing Good Time to Michigan at www.mijustice.org/sign

THANK YOU!