The Ford School's Jeff Morenoff advocated for legislation that would reduce long sentences for incarcerated people in Michigan. In an opinion piece published in the Detroit Free Press, Morenoff explained that Michigan's average prison sentence length is around three times the national average, and double what it was in 1990. Now, Michigan has a chance to adopt legislation that could give 3,737 incarcerated individuals a second review of their sentencing. The legislation is called the "Second Look Sentencing Act" which would allow prisoners, who have served at least a 20-year sentence, the chance to petition their original court for a sentence reduction. Only individuals having committed certain crimes and exhibited appropriate behavior during their sentence are eligible.
Morenoff cites a cost-benefit analysis conducted by the University of Michigan. The research shows that reducing the sentences of 3,737 inmates could save Michigan taxpayers "$100–$150 million in expenses like food, transportation, and medical care." Morenoff asserts that our current justice system is outdated and there is no reason our state should continue using a sentencing system that burdens Michigan taxpayers and triples the national sentencing average.
Urging that prison reform is "not a partisan issue — it is a Michigan issue," Morenoff argues against sweeping Second Look legislation under the rug. He notes that this is a bipartisan act that upholds fiscal responsibility, appealing to conservatives, and the principle belief in "human redemption" which is attractive to progressives. Despite negligence from House Speaker Matt Hall and former Speaker Joe Tate to acknowledge the legislation, Morenoff insists on the importance of "lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to move forward on Second Look."
Morenoff concluded stating, "Michigan cannot afford to cling to outdated sentencing policies that burden taxpayers and overlook the humanity of those incarcerated."
Read Jeff Morenoff's Op-Ed here.
