Testimony Letter - Jack Wagner, Michigan Justice Advocacy, Support of House Bill 4670 (September 28, 2021)

Summary

A letter dated September 28, 2021 from Jack Wagner, President of Michigan Justice Advocacy, to the House Rules and Competitiveness Committee, addressed to Chairman Lilly, in support of House Bill 4670, known as Productivity Credits. The letter applauds Representative Kahle, Slagh, Posthumus, Tyrone Carter and Calley for introducing positive incentives into laws on people in the custody of the Michigan Department of Corrections. It says the benefits of such incentives include reducing misconduct, a higher likelihood of success upon reentry, reduced recidivism, improved odds of employment, and greater public safety. It urges passage of HB4670.

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                                    MICHIGAN JUSTICE ADVOCACY
                                         PO Box 2814, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
                                              Phone: 313-757-0503



                                 Support of House Bill 4670

To: House Rules and Competitiveness Committee                                          September 28, 2021



    Dear Chairman Lilly and distinguished committee members,

     On behalf of Michigan Justice Advocacy, I am writing you today to voice support of House Bill 4670,
    otherwise known as Productivity Credits. We applaud Representative Kahle, Slagh, Posthumus, Tyrone
    Carter and Calley for their efforts to introduce constructive and positive incentives into laws pertaining
    to those in the custody of the Michigan Department of Corrections. The benefits of positive incentives
    such as those promoted by HB4670 are numerous and well documented; reducing misconduct both
    while incarcerated and post-release, higher likelihood of success upon reentry into society, reduced
    recidivism, improved odds of employment and greater public safety to name a few. These results can
    also be measured in economic benefits to society.

    But more importantly these incentives are good for the restoration of individuals who have broken the
    law and wish to make amends. By providing a means for someone to demonstrate their desire to change
    and equipping them with the skills for success we all benefit. Neighborhoods benefit from returning
    neighbors who have renewed self-esteem and a new sense of purpose. Individuals who have made
    mistakes in their lives benefit from the trust that is bestowed in them through a system that strives to
    correct and rehabilitate. They recognize the opportunities given to them and respect the chance to
    prove themselves once again to society. Dollars spent to rehabilitate are a far better investment than
    those spent to punish without the goal of returning an improved individual back to society.

    We at Michigan Justice Advocacy are strong proponents of creating and implementing positive
    incentives such as Productivity Credits into our state’s correction system. We therefore urge the passage
    of HB4670 and look forward to this bill’s progress in the coming days.



    Sincerely,



    Jack Wagner, President
    Michigan Justice Advocacy




    MJA Document Name                                    1                                             9/28/21


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