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.