Ailing Michigan prisoners get a break, but it’s not as good as it sounds!

It’s a rare occasion, indeed, when somebody does something positive for Michigan’s incarcerated who are suffering with serious illness. Well, it has happened. It’s a very small step, and there’s still a lot to be desired. But, at the very least, there’s movement. 

It happened without fanfare in late July, when Governor Whitmer signed 39 bills. Buried in that stack was a measure that was of keen interest to HFP: Senate Bill 599. The governor’s signature on that bill improves on a 2019 statue which allows the Michigan Parole Board to release prisoners with declining health if they are not a threat. The new changes will not only allow the parole board to review more cases, but will also enable the board to expedite its review of situations in which an inmate is dying. 

I realize that it all sounds heavenly, but the rest of the story will bring things crashing back to earth. 

First let me talk about the original bill, the one from 2019. Sounds like an exciting break for ailing prisoners, right? Since the measure was adopted 5 year ago, take a guess as to how many seriously ill inmates were actually released. One! That’s right, just one. Apparently, the description of “medically frail” was so narrow that no one could qualify! 

The sponsor of the new legislation, State Senator Erika Geiss, says her bill provides important fixes to the original one. Thankfully, it received bi-partisan support. 

So, let’s talk about the new and improved version. 

The system has always moved at a snail’s pace, and it’s going to continue that way. If a prisoner is determined to be “medically frail,” that decision will be made by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The matter must then go to the parole board, which will hold a public hearing, where prosecutors and victims can still raise their protests. 

In addition, we’re told that the amended changes may take effect in early 2025. 

In addition, we’ve been advised that those prisoners convicted of first-degree criminal sexual contact or any crime punishable by life in prison without parole, are ineligible for release under this new amendment. 

Sigh. 

But, even though it is small, it is a positive step forward, and all elected officials who helped make this happen deserve our thanks. 

It’s simply following the admonition in Hebrews 13 that we just keep on repeating: 

“…remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”