By NLA CH 1017, President Jermaine Murphy

Studies from the VERA Institute of Justice points to change is needed in how we view out prison population. To see them as humans in need of mental, emotional, and social stability is the pathway to rehabilitation. Inmates need to get to the root of their criminal/dysfunctional behavior(s) to make our communities safer as they return from prison. In order to achieve this goal, MDOC must change its ideology and approach to meeting the needs of its inmates. There’s no need to make a case that inmates in general have some kind of dysfunctional character defect(s), that’s obvious considering the crime(s) they’re locked up for. The question’s, will MDOC make this a priority and begin to address the situation by adopting a board made of inmates and staff to address these issues (This is not like block-rep. issues as we’re talking about individuals, not whole groups of them).

We know that the concerns of the state and community are safety, but how can we assure public safety when releasing any prisoner back into our communities? First, let us say that there are no guaranties when dealing with human nature, but with the necessary steps we could have a higher rate of success. If we create a system where we give inmates opportunities to prove their rehabilitation and acknowledge their progress by closely monitoring them with written reports. Then MDOC could begin to release prisoners who have proven that they’re not a risk to public safety.

One way we believe this could be achieved is by having honor (lifer/long indeterminate inmates) wings/units/facilities were staffers can work directly with inmates, (interacting) in order to properly evaluate and report on how the inmates are doing, and what an inmates needs are.

Second, acknowledge for some and develop for others, life and job skills. If the MDOC allowed these inmates to manage their various workforces, MDOC could recognize the job skills inmates possess, and the inmates given a chance to show their trustworthiness. For example: take unit porters, one of them could be given the responsibility to manage their unit porters (this position could be switched inmate to inmate from time to time). They’d have the duties of ordering all the materials needed to keep the unit clean, they’d have to make up schedules for the unit porters, and they’d have to make sure the jobs are done.

If inmates were allowed to manage all the different workforces in this way it would accomplish several things. First, trust, if inmates could show that they’re trustworthy that’s a big part of showing rehabilitation. Second, job skills and work ethic. Lastly, this could save the state money by needing less security.

Steps to take:

1. Create a program with the end goal of rehabilitation for its inmate population. The program should focus on addressing mental, emotional, and social rehabilitation.

2. Set aside facilities for this purpose.

3. Bring aboard civilians to run classes aimed at specific needs of rehabilitation.

4. Create a board made of inmates, civilians, correctional staffers, and elected officials, who can be a think tank to stay current on the needs of its inmate population.