End Zero Tolerance Policy of the Michigan Department of Corrections
The Zero Tolerance Policy in effect mandates that a family visit to a Michigan prison is automatically denied due to an inadvertent policy violation has a chilling affect upon families visiting their loved ones incarcerated in a Michigan Prison. This policy does more harm than good because it is vitally important that inmates receive as many visits as possible from family and friends to help them in their rehabilitation and eventual return to their community. Some families must travel for more than two hours to get to the prison to visit, for example Ojibway Correctional Facility is located in Marenisco Michigan which is a 13 hour ride from Detroit. Also some family members are senior citizens who are attempting to visit they are not perfect and may forget something as simple as having a watch on their arm, or their cell phone in their purse. This can be easily remedied by allowing them to place the item in their locker. The state of Michigan has a compelling interest in the safety of its prisons but automatically denying a family visit is not the best way to achieve this goal because an inmate may be more hostile without family visits. In the alternative allowing prison officials to use discretion if a rule is inadvertently violated will make for better relationships between the inmates, corrections officers, and families, then we will have a safer prison environment.
We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to return to allowing prison officials to use discretion when determining if a visit is denied. Zero tolerance is unnecessarily cruel and serves to punish families for visiting their loved one incarcerated in a Michigan prison.
Updates
March 24, 2018
The growth of this petition has reached a level that warrants formal attention from state representatives. I am now finalizing the briefing document to deliver to the policy review committee. Expect a report on the initial feedback from their office shortly.
24 Comments
Prison Ministry I believe is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. Being able to reunite families and help them find their purpose is what I get to do. After serving 15 years for a crime I did not commit. I can not imagine what my life would be like with out my family. This type of suppot is necessary for successful rehabilitation and re-entering into society.
As the daughter of a former inmate I spent 13 years of my childhood inside of these MI visiting rooms. I got to hug my daddy once before the visit and once after. We would play games and eat vending machine food. But most of all I knew I had a father that loved me. This effects the children.
I am absolutely in favor of this policy change - as a pastor who has visited many prisoners in the Michigan Prison System - and experienced this policy "in action" more than once!
I have also been denied visits based on innocently forgetting to put change in the locker. It was very distressing for me and my incarcerated family member.
Zero tolerance is unnecessarily hostile to innocent family members and cruel to prisoners who are denied visits from family or friends. MDOC wants to be viewed as progressive, but institutes regressive policies like this and the "new" mail policy. For people on the outside, it's hard to keep track of all the department rules and regulations. We shouldn't be punished for a slip-up.
Prisons need to focus on rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for successful release. Administrative procedures are supposed to be in everyone's best interest.
1
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End Zero Tolerance Policy of the Michigan Department of Corrections
The Zero Tolerance Policy in effect mandates that a family visit to a Michigan prison is automatically denied due to an inadvertent policy violation has a chilling affect upon families visiting their loved ones incarcerated in a Michigan Prison. This policy does more harm than good because it is vitally important that inmates receive as many visits as possible from family and friends to help them in their rehabilitation and eventual return to their community. Some families must travel for more than two hours to get to the prison to visit, for example Ojibway Correctional Facility is located in Marenisco Michigan which is a 13 hour ride from Detroit. Also some family members are senior citizens who are attempting to visit they are not perfect and may forget something as simple as having a watch on their arm, or their cell phone in their purse. This can be easily remedied by allowing them to place the item in their locker. The state of Michigan has a compelling interest in the safety of its prisons but automatically denying a family visit is not the best way to achieve this goal because an inmate may be more hostile without family visits. In the alternative allowing prison officials to use discretion if a rule is inadvertently violated will make for better relationships between the inmates, corrections officers, and families, then we will have a safer prison environment.
We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to return to allowing prison officials to use discretion when determining if a visit is denied. Zero tolerance is unnecessarily cruel and serves to punish families for visiting their loved one incarcerated in a Michigan prison.
Updates
March 24, 2018
The growth of this petition has reached a level that warrants formal attention from state representatives. I am now finalizing the briefing document to deliver to the policy review committee. Expect a report on the initial feedback from their office shortly.
24 Comments
I have a injury that must be covered. And i can't open it. Or take extra supplies in to fix it back. I tried to bring a doctor's note stating the purpose for the not being taken down.
Prison Ministry I believe is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. Being able to reunite families and help them find their purpose is what I get to do. After serving 15 years for a crime I did not commit. I can not imagine what my life would be like with out my family. This type of suppot is necessary for successful rehabilitation and re-entering into society.
As the daughter of a former inmate I spent 13 years of my childhood inside of these MI visiting rooms. I got to hug my daddy once before the visit and once after. We would play games and eat vending machine food. But most of all I knew I had a father that loved me. This effects the children.
I am absolutely in favor of this policy change - as a pastor who has visited many prisoners in the Michigan Prison System - and experienced this policy "in action" more than once!
I have also been denied visits based on innocently forgetting to put change in the locker. It was very distressing for me and my incarcerated family member.
Zero tolerance is unnecessarily hostile to innocent family members and cruel to prisoners who are denied visits from family or friends. MDOC wants to be viewed as progressive, but institutes regressive policies like this and the "new" mail policy. For people on the outside, it's hard to keep track of all the department rules and regulations. We shouldn't be punished for a slip-up.
Prisons need to focus on rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for successful release. Administrative procedures are supposed to be in everyone's best interest.
1
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I have a injury that must be covered. And i can't open it. Or take extra supplies in to fix it back. I tried to bring a doctor's note stating the purpose for the not being taken down.