In Prison, and in Life, Perspective Makes a BIG Difference

 During a recent addiction recovery class, called Breaking the Chains, a co-facilitator (Nate) used a rather interesting perspective exercise. He used this exercise in a discussion about fear, anxiety, and stress. I'd not seen this illustrative exercise, but I've seen other similar ones. Perhaps this one was especially relevant because he was teaching a class full of men. Nate wrote on the board:

"A woman without her man is nothing." 

After some (manly, of course) giggles and childish comments, Nate asked the class, "Would you say anything is wrong with this sentence?" 

Rather surprisingly, nearly all of the responses agreed that this sentence was wrong. I'd expected more toxic male chauvinism that permeates prison. So, Nate asked how we could fix the sentence without changing any words. That stumped the participants, perhaps because many men in prison lack basic educational foundations. In a college class, most men fix the sentence like this: 

"A woman, without her man, is nothing." 

Of course, as an English nerd, I figured out how to fix the sentence immediately, and I also recognized that the "fix" above changes nothing about the sentence meaning. After some time, Nate invited me to fix the sentence. I corrected it like this: 

"A woman: without her, man is nothing." 

Two simple punctuation marks change the whole meaning of the sentence. It goes from a derogatory statement against women to a sentence that cause most men to shrug and readily agree. The difference (besides the punctuation)? Perspective. 

The prison environment isn't exactly conducive to having a positive perspective on things. Negativity is cultivated and spread like a virus. It's pretty easy to get infected. 

Besides the negative perspective we have on our own behavior that led us to prison, prisoners often also have negative perspectives about their life experiences, their experience with the criminal justice system, and their treatment by prison staff and other prisoners. All this negativity produces a culture of negativity that makes it difficult to see things constructively. 

Like the sentence above, though, it doesn't take much to shift one's perspective. We cannot change the facts of our situation, but we can choose a positive perspective if we're willing. 

Some prisoners in these classes I facilitate have chosen to shift their perspectives. I've heard some express gratitude for prison, stating that it saved their lives. That's a great start for some. But it's easy to get sucked back into the negativity. Having a positive, and healthy, and pro-social perspective takes work. It's work that's worth every bit of struggle, though. It's the difference between being a victim of our life's circumstances and choosing to make the best of every situation, for ourselves and for others. 

I'm profoundly grateful for the people in my life who have taught me, and encouraged me over the years to keep a hopeful, healthy, and faith-focused perspective. It makes a world of difference in prison, a place where negative thinking thrives.

Michigan Governor Whitmer Pardons...a Turkey?

 The Michigan Constitution empowers the governor to commute sentences or even to pardon convictions. The process to apply for either is fairly straightforward, and many past governors have utilized their constitutional powers to commute sentences. Pardons are considerably more rare. 

In the '70s and '80s, Michigan's governors used their commutation powers to reduce life sentences for a good number of prisoners who had a couple of decades of good behavior. Yet, over the last couple of decades, the governor's commutation powers have been seldom used comparatively. Governor Whitmer has commuted far fewer sentences than her last three predecessors. I don't know of any pardons she has granted. 

Oh wait. She's pardoned a turkey. 

I know, I know. It's a tradition, both for governors and the President. But imagine the message that sends to prisoners who have worked hard to demonstrate good behavior, change thinking, and voluntarily participate in self-improvement and rehabilitation programs. Nope. Not good enough. 

But if you were just a turkey...

A good friend of mine was sentenced to life in prison for murder. There's not another crime as serious. But he has demonstrated a complete change, a total turnaround. He's not the same person he used to be. His victim's mother even advocates for his release, calling him her son now. I don't know another person who would better qualify for a commutation. 

But he's not a turkey...

Perhaps Governor Whitmer doesn't know she has these commutation powers. She seemed confused when she pardoned the turkey when the announcement read "by the powers vested in me by the Michigan constitution...." Yeah, the constitution doesn't authorize her to pardon a turkey, but she's pardoned more turkeys than humans, which the constitution actually does allow her to do. 

I'm not saying I deserve a commutation, and certainly not a pardon, but I sure wish I was a turkey. I'd stand a better chance. 

Profits Over Patients -- How How Michigan's Prisons Prioritize Money Over Health

 "Ugh! I have a callout to see Dr. L today," another prisoner recently lamented to me. "She always takes from us rather than treats us." 

The doctor this prisoner referred to is just one in a multitude of medical providers throughout the Michigan prison system who are more interested in saving their company money than in treating prisoners' medical conditions. I hear stories about this particular doctor every week from different prisoners. 

Another prisoner had his wheeled walker taken away, despite the fact that he can barely walk and has to sit down regularly so he doesn't fall over. Another prisoner had his medication stopped by this doctor, despite it being ordered by a doctor after a surgery. Another prisoner has had several medications stopped by this doctor, because she "doesn't feel like" he needs them, despite the medications being ordered by previous doctors after surgeries. Another prisoner has suffered immense pain in his neck and shoulder for years that is worsening, but this doctor refused to even listen to his complaint. "You have a chronic care appointment in December!" she stated, cutting him off. Apparently he's supposed to suffer until SHE decides it's time to listen to him. 

I could go on and on and on with examples from this one doctor. There are others, too, who treat prisoners worse than animals and for whom "first do no harm" is a joke, not a philosophy of treatment. There are good doctors, too, but even these good medical providers are limited in their ability to treat prisoners properly because the company they work for is more concerned about profits than prisoner health. 

A recent MI-Cure newsletter (Nov. 2024, www.MI-Cure.com) noted some of the major problems with prisons' private healthcare providers around the country. Four of the major providers, including Michigan's prison healthcare provider, have been riddled with lawsuits. Their horrible treatment (or lack of treatment) of prisoner healthcare needs has led to these lawsuits. Many, many more prisoners could file, and win, lawsuits concerning their terrible healthcare treatment--if they only knew how. 

Some people might argue that prisoners receive free healthcare, so we shouldn't complain about its quality. I disagree for a couple of reasons. First, it's not free. Yes, it's ONLY a $5 co-pay, but not all prisoners have prison jobs. Furthermore, since the average monthly pay is around $20-30/month, that equates to 20-25% of a prisoners monthly pay, just for a single doctor visit. That's like a person in poverty making $25k/year having to pay 25% of their income, just to SEE the doctor. 

The second reason I believe prisoners have a right to complain about our poor healthcare is that we are still human beings. Most Michigan prisoners will return to society one day. Yet, prison healthcare (or lack thereof) is killing us. Cancer and heart disease often goes untreated, diabetes is poorly treated at best, quality of life surgeries are denied or delayed for years, and necessary medications are refused or changed to ones that "suit" the provider rather than the needs of the patient. 

Sadly, the Michigan Department of Corrections and its private healthcare provider are more concerned about profits than patients. Doctors like Dr. L do not belong in the healthcare profession, so where better to put them than treating us. After all, we're "just prisoners."

Where Has the Respect Gone? It's Rare in Michigan's Minimum Security Prisons

 I've noticed a significant difference in the type and "quality" of prisoners since coming to a level one minimum security prison. For years, I've heard that level one prisons were laid back, but that stealing was a big problem. What nobody told me, and perhaps because it's new, is that many of the prisoners in low levels have little to no respect for each other. 

When prisoners have spent time in higher security levels, levels 2 and 4 especially, they live among lifers and prisoners with long sentences. These long-term prisoners set the tone for the culture among prisoners. Disrespectful behavior and attitudes are not often tolerated. Young prisoners are schooled on how to behave with respect, and more of the older prisoners already show respect for others. 

At Parnall, the level 1 prison where I am currently housed, young prisoners especially, but older ones too, lack respect for others. A significantly different culture exists where prisoners think very little of others. These problems exist at higher levels, for sure, but not as a predominant part of the culture.

Disrespect for others shows up in several ways. Simple things, like not saying excuse me, not paying attention to where others are walking and failing to "yield" as you approach (including on narrow stairs), and ignoring when someone's sleeping and yelling in front of his cell anyway are just a few examples. In the chow hall, it shows up as reaching across another person's tray or cup, bumping into other prisoners while they're eating, spilling food on a seated prisoner, and hollering across the table to offer trades to other prisoners (e.g. "juice for milk!").

Recently, a neighbor of mine had a problem in the chow hall when the prisoner who had sat down right before him put a napkin in the spot where this other man's tray was to set. My neighbor flicked the napkin on the floor, and the other guy was furious, even though he had intentionally put the napkin in the way. It led to an exchange of heated words, and then, shockingly, the guy flung a spoon of butter at my neighbor, hitting his shirt. This incident would have certainly led to a fight at higher levels, but here it ended with an exchange of heated words. Such petty things are common causes of arguments and even some fights in prison. 

Gossip also runs more rampantly at a level 1 prison. False rumors about good time bills passing and masses of prisoners being released on tether circulate every month or two. These rumors swirl with the fervor of a wildfire, and then fizzle out for another month or two. Petty gossip about other people's cases also ripple through the population at times. Prisoners with nothing better to do have their families look other prisoners up online, or they get officers to print out news stories that are then passed around. 

Being a rat in prison used to be a huge no-no, but now it seems cool and acceptable to cozy up to the officers. Prisoners who tell on other prisoners often do so with no gain to themselves. It's mind boggling to me. Other times, prisoners rat to have another prisoner moved out of the way (for a desirable job, cell, or officer favor), as retribution for some perceived slight, or simply to try to garner favor with the officers. 

I never thought I'd consider myself an "old school" in prison, but this new type of prisoner is way different than I've gotten used to. When I first came to prison, I'd hear older prisoners talk about how prison used to be. Reminiscing about the "good ol' days" in prison never made sense to me. Prison sucks, whether with "old school" values or with the new brand of disrespect. But I can't help wishing that, with the time I have left in prison, people would show a little more respect for each other.

The Number of Michigan Prisoners with Lengthy Sentences Nearly Double Other States

 The last several years, Michigan's legislature has sat on a bill called "Second Look Sentencing." This bill would allow prisoners with long sentences, even life sentences, to have their sentences reviewed by a judge and reduced. Of course, the prisoner would have had to demonstrate good behavior and rehabilitation. The judge would have to be convinced that the prisoner will be safe to release to society sooner than his original sentence mandated. 

Although this Second Look Sentencing bill has been introduced in Michigan for at least the last two legislative sessions, the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader have held it up from even having a hearing. 

Perhaps these legislators are concerned about the potential political fallout of releasing prisoners early. That's why any good time bill has not even had a hearing in the Michigan legislature, too. 

But, here are the facts: 
* Michigan's average prison sentence is the longest in the nation. 
* Michigan's prison system is woefully understaffed, by around 40% the last statistic I've heard. 
* Longer prison sentences do not equate to safer communities or to greater rehabilitation. 
* Michigan has almost twice the percentage of prisoners who have served more than 10 years compared to other states. The national average is 17% of prisoners, and in Michigan, 32% have served more than 10 years. A full 41% of Michigan prisoners will have to serve more than 10 years before being eligible for parole. 
* Michigan has 4,500 lifers who will never leave prison, without a second look option. These prisoners will never be eligible for parole. 
* Michigan has a felony murder statute, allowing life sentences for any involvement in a felony where someone died. Premeditation and intention are irrelevant in these cases. 

The original Second Look Sentencing bill would allow prisoners to have their sentences reviewed after 10 years. However, given the resistance from legislators, the next version of the bill is likely to raise that limit to 20 years. This will significantly reduce the number of prisoners who might be eligible for reductions in their sentences. But, it's a start. 

Yet, even small steps in the right direction require action by the legislature or governor. Instead, they're too focused on preserving (and growing) their positions of power. So, the problems of understaffing, overcrowding, and ineffective sentencing policies remains. 

When will Michigan's politicians finally take these problems seriously and make real attempts to resolve them? 

(Statistics taken from SADO's Criminal Defense Newsletter, September 2024, Vol. 47, Issue 12.)