This Week's File

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March 5, 2009 – Week 7

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Sheila Schimpf

http://cns.jrn.msu.edu

MICHIGAN LEAGUE FOR HUMAN SERVICES AHEAD: Your correspondents will interview Sharon Parks, president of the Michigan League for Human Services, on Monday, March 16 (after spring break). The interview is likely to focus on the impacts of the state’s economic downturn and worldwide recession on public and nonprofit agencies that provide health, assistance, housing, job training and educational services across the state.

NO FILE NEXT WEEK. Reminder: There will be no file on Friday, March 13, due to spring break. We resume our regular schedule on Friday, March 20.

HERE'S YOUR FILE:

JUVENILELIFERS: Sixteen-year-olds convicted of murder in Oakland and Muskegon counties are among Michigan’s 300-plus “juvenile lifers”—inmates serving life without chance of parole for crimes committed before they were 17. The ACLU and an Ann Arbor senator say the state should repeal its juvenile lifer law—one of only a handful in the country. The state Corrections director agrees, but the Kalamazoo County prosecutor says adult prison should remain an option for juveniles who commit the most serious crimes. Co-sponsors include senators from Highland Park, Detroit, Huntington Woods and Roseville. By Alison Costello. FOR OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, MACOMB, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.

NATIONALGUARD: Michigan National Guard returnees like Capt. Steve Wilson of Vicksburg say it takes time to reintegrate into society. He came back from Iraq in December and is now a recruitment officer based in Lansing. Meanwhile, a top-level Michigan Army Guard official briefs a legislative committee on Guard strength and a Kalamazoo-based recruiter says enlistments are rising. By Tim Weatherhead. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

INVESTINGINPRISON: Amidst a state budget crisis, the Corrections Department is taking a different approach to saving money: investing in job training and education for inmates. The goal, the director says, is to reduce the proportion of parolees who return to prison, meaning a small investment in rehabilitation and training can save lots more money in the long run. Officials from prisons in the Upper Peninsula and near Manistee talk about such programs, and the chair of the House Corrections Appropriations Subcommittee, from Salem Township, supports more spending on such programs. By Jack Johnston. FOR LUDINGTON, MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

AUTOINSURANCE: Tough economic times are focusing more attention on rising auto insurance premiums and the fact that rates are much higher for urban motorists. The governor has called for a one-year freeze on insurance rates, a Highland Park senator is again pushing legislation to curb geographic disparities and insurance industry experts, including an ex-lawmaker from DeWitt say the state should sit down and talk with the industry. By Thomas J. Morrisey. FOR LANSING, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MIHCIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

PRISONREENTRY: The Michigan Prison Re-entry Initiative has reduced the recidivism rate by better preparing parolees to find jobs and housing and return to their communities, the Corrections Department says. The program operates statewide, including Berrien, Oakland, Clinton and Kent counties and in Northern Michigan. There are financial incentives for employers who hire parolees. By Danielle Emerson. FOR LANSING, OAKLAND, SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, ROYAL OAK, PETOSKEY, CADILLAC, TRAVERSE CITY, UP NORTH, GRAYLING, ALPENA, MARQUETTE & ALL POINTS.

CORRECTIONS: Michigan has been able to reduce its prison population, the Corrections Department said, and is putting more money into programs that will deter released inmates from returning. However, a Michigan State sociologist cautions that changing the prison system is not enough and that fundamental changes in society are needed, starting with education. Meanwhile, a national report suggests ways for states to reduce their prison populations and thus their cost of prisons. By Gabriel Goodwin. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK & ALL POINTS.

CNS

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