MPRI

Parole Agents in Northwest Michigan do an excellent job under difficult circumstances.

The State budget crunch is making life more difficult for everyone. During the last few months, the Michigan Department of Corrections staff has been required to take as many as six furlough days without pay. Even so, parole agents have been doing an excellent job.

During 2008, 237 men and women were paroled to the ten county region of Northwest Michigan. Fortunately, most of them were able to find ways of successfully remaining in the community. They did so in spite of the fact they face very difficult challenges even under the best of circumstances.

That makes it all the more important that we as a state and a community have smart, effective programs that help ex-offenders succeed-and in the process enhance public safety. And that's what the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI) is all about.

Every returning prisoner has served at least the minimum sentence to be eligible for parole - often times, much longer. Except in instances where prisoners have "maxed out and therefore do not need to be on parole when they return home," the Michigan Parole Board has examined the individual case and determined that parole is appropriate.

In the past couple of years, there has been an increase in the number of people paroled for two reasons: a new risk assessment tool enables the Parole Board to make better-informed decisions; and programs both in and out of prison give offenders the tools they need to succeed.

The MPRI program starts when prisoners begin their sentences, with an assessment of their risk factors, weaknesses, and needs. Transition Accountability Plans are developed to provide relevant programming. Prisoners know that their participation plays a big part in Parole Board decisions about whether they will be released.

As prisoners near their potential parole dates, new plans are developed to prepare them to return to the community. And when they are released, the parole agent and community agencies have a plan of support and supervision in place that holds the parolee accountable while boosting their chances of becoming productive, law-abiding citizens.

It is self-evident that parolees' prospects for success are enhanced-and we all are safer in our homes and communities--if they can find jobs or can get training to develop skills, if they have stable housing, if those with substance abuse problems have access to treatment programs, and if they get help with transportation issues.

In Northwest Michigan, we have been fortunate to have the support of many great partners in making the MPRI work: Michigan Department of Corrections Probation and Parole officers, Pugsley Correctional Facility, the Michigan Department of Human Services, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Northwest Michigan Works!, local community mental health agencies, and many private mental health and substance abuse treatment service providers.

The reality is that more than 90 percent of Michigan prisoners will eventually return to their communities--with or without the MPRI. Since the MPRI was launched, the number of parolees returning to prison because of new crimes or parole violations has declined substantially--evidence that the MPRI is working and making us safer.

Responsible Fatherhood

Fathers who actively participate in the lives of their children diminish the risk of childhood poverty, mental illness, juvenile delinquency, early sexual activity, teen pregnancies, substance abuse and failure to complete high school, among many other things.

• Put their children's interest before their own.
• Serve as role models to their children (leading by example).
• Separate other relationship issues from their relationships with their children.
• Play an active role in their child's emotional and academic development.

Click here to connect to the Responsible Fatherhood Blog for more information.