Is sentencing reform in Michigan’s future?

Matt Whetstone | Cadillac News Retired Wexford County Circuit Court Judge Charles Corwin discusses sentencing reform Friday.

CADILLAC — At one time, it seemed Michigan was on the fast track for reforming its prison sentencing guidelines.

But with the arrest of an alleged serial killer in Lansing, the possibility that more violent criminals could be placed on the street left some lawmakers dubious about changes.

On Friday, retired Wexford County Judge Charles Corwin discussed sentencing reform and how it fits with the state’s budget woes at a Lecture Luncheon Series, sponsored by Baker College and the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce.

Reform is tied heavily to the state’s budget problem because the Michigan Department of Corrections has a $2 billion budget, Corwin said. Additionally, one out of every three state employees works for the MDOC.

Of the $2 billion budget, $1.6 billion is used to fund the state’s 45 prisons.

Corwin recalls campaigning for judge in the 1990s and hearing a lot of comments like, “make sure you lock them up and throw away the key.”

Around the state, it seemed a lot of judges took those comments to heart. Michigan has the highest number of incarcerated people in the Midwest with 489 per 100,000 residents. It costs about $31,000 a year to house one person in a prison.

Reform talks so far have been about removing many felonies — such as dueling — from the law books and reducing 142 from felonies to misdemeanors, Corwin said. There also has been talk about reducing mandatory sentences for non-violent offenders.

Other changes would divert those with sentences under 18 months from prisons to county jails, a move that could put strain on counties and especially Wexford County, which has a jail overcrowding problem.

“Obviously these changes are controversial,” Corwin said.

Those in favor of reform say place people in prison that you’re afraid of, not people you’re mad at, Corwin said. There are many non-violent criminals in jail that should have been released on parole, proponents also argue.

Opponents to the legislation say many people in prison have already pleaded to a lesser offense and guidelines are very low already.

For example, Corwin presided over a case that involved the embezzlement of $300,000. The sentencing guideline called for a zero to six month sentence.

“The premise we’re sending people to prison willy nilly is an erroneous premise,” Corwin said.

In the end, lawmakers must decide if they have the financial resources to continue supporting massive corrections spending, Corwin said.

Looking back at the alleged serial killer in Lansing, Corwin said many times a judge doesn’t know who’s capable of that kind of behavior.

“You don’t know who’s violent and who’s non-violent,” he said. “You can’t predict human behavior.”

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Sentencing reform

Retired Wexford County Judge Charles Corwin discussed a proposal that would eliminate felonies, reduce many to misdemeanors and change sentencing guidelines in order to help the state cut spending.

The proposal has met opposition by lawmakers who say now is not the time to be soft on crime.

mwhetstone@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)