MI- Should inmates be released?

2-20-2009 Michigan:

Linda Woodward’s brother, Melvin Cook, was sent to prison in 1985 for a minimum sentence of 20 years. He’s still there after 24 years.

But that could change under Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposal to release nonviolent inmates who have served their minimum sentences.

Cook, 60, wasn’t eligible for another parole hearing until 2010 but he could now appear before an expanded parole board as early as next month for another hearing.

Woodward of Orion Township, said she hopes he gets out soon. Cook’s health isn’t good she says, and her aging mother would like to seem him before she dies, Woodward says. “Twenty-six years is a long time,” Woodward said of her brother’s time in jail, which includes the time prior to his conviction. “I just cry all the time because they won’t give him a chance,” Woodward said. “People kill people and get out with less time then my brother.” Cook is being held at the Ernest C. Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon, according to state records.

He was sentenced in Oakland County Circuit Court in 1985 to 20-80 years for breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The case details were not available in the county’s online records.

Cook was first eligible for parole in December 2004, which was denied. He was also denied parole in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

“The offense he’s serving on has a very low parole rate,” says Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan. “CSC offenders are the lowest parole approval rate of all crime categories.”

But Granholm’s proposed budget for 2010 includes cuts of $120 million to the Department of Corrections, including the closing of some facilities.

As part of the effort to stave off a $1.6 billion state deficit and pare the corrections budget, which accounts for about a third of the state’s general fund spending, prisoners’ sentences are also being reviewed for accelerated parole, if they’ve served their minimum sentence.

Cook is among 12,000 prisoners who have completed their minimum sentences and eligible for review, Marlan said.

The state expects to release about a third of them.

Marlan said the Michigan Parole Board is using an new assessment tool to gauge the risk of a convicted sex offender committing a repeat offense. The tool is called the Vermont Assessment of Sex Offender Risk.

“There’s no guarantee he would be paroled,” Marlan said.

“If the VASOR shows he has a low probability of reoffending, it may give him a greater chance of being paroled.”

Marlan said he can’t specifically comment on the health of any prisoner.

“As far as his health problems, the board is continuously reviewing the population for prisoners whose health condition is deteriorating to the point where it affects their likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior,” Marlan said.

Woodward says her brother no longer poses a risk because of his health issues.

“His liver is real bad, he takes other medication, he hears voices now.” Woodward said.

“My poor mother calls me every day. She just wants to spend some time with him before she dies.” ..News Source.. by CHARLES CRUMM, Of The Oakland Press