More dollars for gas; fewer visits to prisons

Writer Bankole Thompson’s column in Monday’s Detroit News struck a chord with me. 

“No matter what side you sit on in the war with Iran, the skyrocketing gas prices, which have hit $6 in some parts of the country, are affecting everyone.” 

He went on to say that among the hardest hit are those persons living on fixed incomes. That leads me to my discussion today, because I’m guessing that many families of incarcerated men and women may not be on fixed income, but very likely are in the low-to-mid income bracket. 

That got me to thinking about prison visits and how seriously gas prices will unquestionably affect visitation. Studies have shown that prison visits not only strengthen family bonds, providing emotional support to inmates, but also aid in the rehabilitation process and reduce recidivism rates. 

First, let’s consider the remote locations of some of our prisons. 

We have a number of correctional facilities in the Upper Peninsula. For family and loved ones, that’s not next door. There are 2 prisons in Kincheloe, another in Newberry, another in Munising, one in Marquette, and then, way off to the west, one in Baraga. About 6,000 men are housed in those correctional facilities. 

It’s easy to see that high gas prices are going to hit hard among minorities, and that will affect visitation numbers. 

I bring that up because more than 50% of people locked up in our state prisons are Black. The population of Black citizens in the U.P. is negligible, probably less than 3% which means that the parents and loved ones of African Americans behind bars are from lower Michigan. Based on the population of Detroit and Wayne County it would be realistic to think that many family members live in that area. Now this startling statistic: The median household income for Black residents in Detroit is approximately $30,000! 

Well, let’s crunch some numbers, based on these two possibilities: that the visitor’s car gets 20 miles per gallon, and that the driver is purchasing gasoline for about $5 per gallon. 

-If a person from the Detroit area wanted to drive to Kincheloe, Michigan, the cost for gasoline alone would be around $150.00. Then one must consider food and lodging.

-The drive to Newberry would cost around $180.00.

-If one wanted to make the trip to Munising or Marquette, figure $200.00. And,

 -those poor people who must go all the way to Baraga will spend about $270.00…just for gasoline! 

It ain’t gonna happen! Even higher-income citizens can’t afford that! Prior to the gas crisis, about 80% of men and women behind bars in our state received no visits. None. Guess where that statistic is headed now! 

Thompsons conclusion in his column: “Campaign slogans won’t solve the problem. People should not pay for failed leadership in November.” 

Remember that the next time you pump a few gallons of gas. 

Ziggy, by cartoonist Tom Wilson:

We’re all in the same boat! And it’s stuck in the Strait of Hurmuz!!