Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Unveiled By Governor

jailcel5l-12
jailcel5l-12

Governor Gretchen Whitmer hopes to improve jail and pretrial systems throughout the state by signing an executive order to create a 21-member, bipartisan Michigan Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration. Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield praised the move at the governor’s announcement.

“Early in the House of Representatives this year, I stood with Attorney General Dana Nessel in showing that we can work together on real reforms,” said Chatfield. “We need to ensure across the state that we are not overcriminalizing our citizens, and people have real opportunities as they seek to re-enter society.”

The task force will look at how to expand alternatives to jail while safely reducing jail admissions and lengths of stay. It will be co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack.

“Our legal system should feel more like justice for victims and people accused of crimes,” said McCormack. “When people are found guilty and sentenced, they should feel that the process was fair. But if we were to ask people with means and people without who come through our courts, whether they were presumed innocent or guilty, I’m afraid the answers would disappoint us.”

McCormack says one of the main areas of focus will be the impact of the justice system on low-income defendants. The governor says they hope to have legislation introduced next year.