Economic realities of state sentencing reform

This commentary from Michigan, entitled “Budget pitting prisons against our universities,” spotlights some of the state economic realities that often are the catalyst for new sentencing reforms. Here is how it begins:

Michigan is at a crossroads and facing a critical choice about its future direction, perhaps nothing defines the choice as clearly and fundamentally as the coming budget struggle between prisons and universities.  Yes, there are many funding priorities and many worthy programs and services facing stress because of the state’s projected deficit for the 2008 fiscal year, which could run as high as $1.8 billion, according to the Senate Fiscal Office.

But shaping choices between Corrections (the backbone of public safety) and universities (the gateway to the knowledge economy) is symbolic of the struggle that faces Michiganians.  It is not just a struggle for today or even for 2008, because the actions taken now will set the tone for what type of state Michigan wants to be and what future those who live here can expect.