Are we willing to march?

I was so busy writing about HFP’s August 29 birthday that I never got around to discussing the August 28 Freedom March of 1963. That was the year that 200,000 demonstrators filled the streets of Washington DC, demanding improvements in jobs and freedom. 

I have long contended that democracy not only demands orderly elections, but allows for peaceful protest on the streets. 

Just a few days ago Governor Whitmer presented her “What’s Next” address. She noted many fine accomplishments in our state, and she outlined many more worthy goals. Notably missing, however, was an in-depth discussion of prisons and incarceration. Why? Because these topics do not impress voters. 

The only comment I found in the entire speech was a vague reference to the budget just passed, saying that there was money to “upgrade correctional facilities.” That’s it? That’s all there is to talk about? 

Meanwhile, our office continues to receive a barrage of complaints from residents of Michigan prisons and from their families and loved ones. Here are some topics that didn’t get mentioned in the Governor’s address. 

-Oppressive heat! No AC for Michigan prisoners.

-Terrible food! “Maggots in the milk and beetles in the greens,” reports one of our friends in WHV.

-Drugs and home-made booze resulting in serious substance abuse.

-A shameful lack of appropriate medical care. Cruel and unusual punishment?

-Aging prison population, as Michigan holds its reputation for keeping people in prison longer than other states.

-Dangerous staff shortage at the MDOC. “2,000 open positions,” reports Radio Station WLNS in Lansing. 

This is just a sampling of the complaints, the problems, the issues. The big question remains: What are we going to do about it? 

Michigan’s current prison population is more than 30,000 people. That means we have thousands and thousands of friends, relatives, family members and loved ones who could protest. “Could” is the key word here. Are we willing? 

In a recent interview with seasoned Innocence Project attorney Marla Mitchell-Cichon, who serves on the HFP Board of Directors, she and I discussed the many existing problems in the Michigan prison system. 

I asked: “What should we do about it?” 

Marla’s reply: Raise hell! 

Let’s get started.



 

Comments

MaryMargaret said…
As always Doug well done. So many problems which seem insurmountable. We need to think about each one in and of itself. Otherwise, it's way to big to digest. The stigma attached to inmates attaches to the family and friends as well and make it emotionally costly to participate in being part of the change. This is the blessing of your brain child, Humanity for Prisoners, and it's curse. A blessing that HFP is desperately needed and a curse that the volunteers needed to move the needle do not step forward in the numbers needed to make a bigger impact toward systemic change. So HFP continues to make a difference one incident at a time and stays the course.
September 6, 2023 at 11:37 AM
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