Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jan 2002
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2002, The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Bill Martin
Note: The writer is director of the Michigan Department of Corrections

MICHIGAN PRISONS NOT FILLED WITH DRUG OFFENDERS

Let me be blunt: Michigan's prisons are NOT "awash" in drugs, nor are they 
jammed to the rafters with drug offenders, as Nolan Finley wrote in his 
Jan. 20 column ("Trio's ballot measure would restructure war on illicit 
drugs").

Here are the facts.

With regard to whether prisons are awash in drugs, the Michigan Department 
of Corrections randomly tests 3 percent of the prisoner population twice 
every month. From Oct. 1, 2001 through Dec. 31, there were 10,311 random 
samples taken.

Of those 10,311 tests, 0.5 percent (half of 1 percent) came back as positive.

The Detroit News, in the numerous opinion polls it commissions and relies 
upon, uses a sample size much smaller than 10,311. If someone garnered half 
of 1 percent of voter appeal in such a poll, would Finley rationally claim 
the candidate is "awash" in popularity?

With regard to whether prisons are chock full of drug offenders, only about 
10 percent of the population is serving for drug crimes, and the number 
serving for simple possession is negligible.

More important, nearly all drug offenders who come to prison are 
incarcerated because of some aggravating factor, such as pleading to a 
lesser offense; having other concurrent or past offenses (usually things 
like carrying a concealed weapon, home invasion or felony assault); already 
being on parole or probation; and being absconders from parole or probation.

Is Finley advocating that Michigan eliminate judicial discretion and 
calling for the immediate release of these career drug peddlers and thugs?

Perhaps before Finley stakes out a position on public policy -- in which 
life and death literally are in the balance -- he could assess facts first.

Bill Martin

Lansing
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MAP posted-by: Beth