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.)