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| DOC takes closer look at parole and probation cases following mistakes |
| By wxyz.com - Michael Rosenfield |
| Published: 05/09/2012 |
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LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) - Heartbreaking vigils. Devastated families. Murder scenes in peaceful neighborhoods. Images we cannot forget. The crimes were committed by an array of suspects who could have been locked up, highlighting possible issues with the parole and probation system in the state of Michigan. There are some 70,000 people on parole or probation in the state right now and just 1300 parole and probation agents. Nine agents statewide are on suspension, including five in metro Detroit in the wake of several high-profile fiascoes over the last several months. "Our agents feel like they've been scapegoated," says Ray Holman of UAW Local 6000 in Lansing which represents state workers including parole and probation agents. Several cases are being reviewed by Internal Affairs at Michigan's Department of Corrections. In November, 80-year-old Nancy Dailey was found murdered in her Royal Oak home. The suspects, Alan Wood and Tonia Watson, were parole absconders. Two parole agents were suspended. In January, 12-year-old Kade'jah Davis was shot and killed inside her Detroit home after two suspects opened fire outside the door. One of the suspects, Joshua Brown, should have been on an electronic tether at the time but it was never activated. His parole agent and the supervisor were both suspended. And in April, teenager Tucker Cipriano was charged with killing his father, and severely beating his mother and brother. Cipriano had been a parole absconder, something he admitted to in court. “I didn’t show up to my last probation meeting but I was talking to my probation officer about that," Cipriano told the judge. His probation agent was suspended. "The agents are being asked to do more with less," says Holman. "You're talking about a job where people's lives literally are at risk. But the Department of Corrections says there are enough agents, and with an average caseload of 54, agents are not being overworked. Still, following the high-profile mistakes, the DOC has begun an 8-point plan. "It was started shortly after Ms. Dailey's murder in Royal Oak," says Russ Marlan, spokesperson for the DOC. Read More. |
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