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| Group seeks changes to parole review |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 10/04/2004 |
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An advocacy group is calling for changes to the review process for inmates sentenced to life in prison who are eligible for parole. A report released last Monday by the Lansing-based Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending, or CAPPS, found that 834 prisoners in Michigan were eligible for parole of the 1,943 sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole. The group faults the way the Michigan Parole Board reviews their cases. One of the 10 members of the parole board is required to meet with inmates sentenced to life after they have served 10 years, although they can't be released until they have served 15 years. If they're rejected, their files are reviewed once every five years. Gary Gabry, a former chairman of the Michigan Parole Board, said that's unfair because members are on the board for only four years. He also pointed out that members don't have to physically meet with inmates when deciding every five years. Barbara Levine, executive director of CAPPS, said many inmates who are eligible for parole are in prison decades longer than the courts had intended. CAPPS recommends that the parole board be required to provide written reasons for deciding against a public hearing. |
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