The MDOC is currently in the process of implementing the Violence Prevention Program (VPP), which will eventually phase out Assaultive Offender Programming (AOP). VPP is currently being piloted at three sites, with plans to roll out statewide in 2012. It is our understanding that VPP will alleviate the wait-list backlog prisoners have been experiencing in the recent past. However, until VPP is available statewide, the MDOC has a temporary plan of action to channel prisoners into other programs that are currently available.

The department will use the VASOR, COMPAS, and Static-99 to determine placement. The changes are intended to ease the wait-list problems by making programming placements more efficient and varied based on new screening and assessments of risk by individual, rather than by placing everyone with a certain offense on a single program waitlist. The information here is our best understanding of the new programming process at this point. We will continue to look for new information and address issues as they arise and as implementation occurs.

The following guidelines are for individuals with any ERD up until April 1, 2012. The programming guidelines affect individuals in level I or level II, and those in higher levels will go through the screening process for programming upon getting down in level.

SOP

Prisoners serving for sex offenses will all be given the Vermont Assessment of Sex Offender Risk (VASOR). Screening for programming will be based on the VASOR and the COMPAS violence risk scores of the individual. In the case that an individual has not had the VASOR, the Static-99 will be given. Those that screen low on the VASOR will also be given the Static-99 as a follow up assessment to make sure individuals are recommended to the program that best fits their needs based on the assessment. The Static-99 will be the final indicator for those who originally scored low on the VASOR. Individuals with a low on the Static-99 will remain low and individuals that score moderate on the Static-99 will be classified the same as those that originally screened moderate on the VASOR. The scoring outcomes and the related programming classifications are as follows:

• Low VASOR, low violence COMPAS: Sex Offender Didactic Program (SOD)*
•  Low VASOR, moderate violence COMPAS: Thinking 4 Change (T4C) and SOD*
•  Low VASOR, high violence COMPAS: 6 month AOP program**
• Moderate VASOR: 6 month SOP program***
•  High VASOR: 6 month SOP program***

*SOD program will be a psycho-educational program of 9 sessions, spread out over about 5 weeks, to impact change over time. SOD will be delivered by psychologists.

** This group of offenders will receive AOP, and it will only contain those offenders with a CSC offense 

***This placement will be regardless of COMPAS violence risk scores

AOP/VPP

All program screens for those serving on assaultive offenses will be based on the COMPAS. The programming classifications are as follows:

·     Low COMPAS: removed from programming waitlists

·     Moderate COMPAS: Thinking 4 Change (T4C)

·     High COMPAS: AOP 6 month program

For both types of programming, lists will continue to be managed based on ERD. There will be separate lists for AOP, SOP, SOD and T4C, and individuals will continue to be transferred to different facilities, if needed, to get into programming. Custody and Psychological services have been updated on the new procedures, and the databases are also being updated so that recommendations in the system will reflect this new programming classification.

While the long-term goal is to get VPP running by January 1, 2012, this temporary criteria will be continued if for some reason VPP is not up and running at this point.  At this time, the focus is on individuals in levels I and II. The MDOC is still considering how to offer programming for parolable lifers and individuals at levels IV and V.

 Please feel free to contact us if you need clarification or assistance in navigating this new system. We sincerely hope that the new process will alleviate some of the previous issues and we will continue to advocate for change as necessary.

Hope 4 Healing Hearts, Inc.   

From Bonnie D. Hilberer, DTM  

Founder and Director 

Bonnie, Natalie, and Pete met and has an informative discussion.  Family support groups for people in prison can be a wonderful place to find understanding, hope, and ultimately the road to healing.  After our meeting, Bonnie sent the following information based on the questions that came up in our conversation.

How & why did Hope 4 Healing Hearts, Inc., start?

When my son-in-law's father committed a crime at the age of 62 that sent him to prison for the next 14 to 30 years, I stood on the sidelines and watched what this did emotionally to both my son-in-law and my daughter.  Feeling helpless, I suggested that they needed a grief support group.  When he acknowledged an interest, I searched.

When I found nothing, I was shocked, after all, there are support groups for just about anything else.   With a lot of soul-searching and prayer, I eventually took it upon myself to start a grief support group.  My theory was that they had lost a loved one - not to death, but to the prison system.  I prepared for a seven-week workshop and expected to end it when we completed those weeks.  I had already retired, I didn't need to start a new career - or so I thought.

When the program ended, my son-in-law began to show signs of healing.  Two weeks later, which was now 11 months from when his father was sentenced, decided it was finally time for him to talk & see his father.  It was then that I knew I couldn't give up the group meetings. 

What has happened to the group since it's onset?

The initial group began October 2008, and has grown from the original 8 attendees to more than 50.  Six of the original eight continue to attend - only they are now helping themselves by helping others.  They have walked the mile and understand the pain new members to the group are going through.  They have received feelings, words or attitudes. 

Where do you see the future of this group?

Hopefully, continuing to grow.  By mid-summer, I plan to complete a manual, a guide with resources of how to start a group and how to keep it going and growing.  I currently have a website that many people come to from across the country.  I frequently receive phone calls from people in other states looking for a group in their area or wondering how to start their own. 

In Michigan alone, we have more than 40, 000 inmates, that means each one must have at least one person that cares about them and has gone through or is currently in the midst of emotional turmoil.  We can't 'fix' what happened, but we might be able to help by just listening or better yet, we might even be able to mend a broken heart.

What qualifies me to lead this group?

Twenty one years of being on both sides of grief.  I've lost a twin brother, father, husband and mother, along with many other relatives and friends through the years.  Loss of my first husband is what truly started me in grief support, which later led me to 'giving back'.  For about 15 years I have been, and still am, a volunteer for a large grief support system in Wayne, Washtenaw , Livingston and Oakland counties.  While I don't have the paper degree, life experience, passion and desire have certainly provided me with the tools to do the job.  If I see individuals need more than our group discussions offer, I readily suggest outside, private counseling.

Articles (in PDF format) on current budget related issues regarding Michigan's prisons

• Detroit Free Press Editorial:  

Base Prison Cuts on Reality not Politics   

• Detroit News Editorial:

The Right Way to Cut Prisons

• Lansing State Journal Editorial:

State Hurts itself with Corrections Spending  

• Report from Detroit Free Press on the House and Senate Sub-Committees' on Corrections Appropriations budgets as released on Thursday, April 14, 2011:

House panel urges closure of Detroit's Mound prison

Other criminal justice related articles  

• Interesting article from Salon.com regarding the transformation of former "tough on crime" people to folks who understand the problem of prison and the abuse and hardship inherent in the system:

Right winger + hard time = compassion  

• Make sure to download a copy of the NAACP's new report, Misplaced Priorities.  The NAACP describes the report: "Misplaced Priorities examines America's escalating levels of prison spending and its impact on state budgets and our nation's children.  Misplaced Priorities tracks the steady shift of state funds away from education and toward the criminal justice system. Researchers have found that over-incarceration most often impacts vulnerable and minority populations, and that it destabilizes communities." 

• An interesting article on property issues.  AFSC provided information to the reporter who wrote this article:  

 Inmate goes to court over $2.12 

MDOC Policy Directive Changes and Other MDOC-Issued Information

Governor Rick Snyder today announced that Jackson County Sheriff Daniel Heyns will serve as Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). Heyns begins his new duties on June 1.

"Sheriff Heyns has exactly the type of skills we were looking for in a Corrections

Director," Snyder said. "His experience managing the sheriff's department, operating a jail operation and his keen understanding of

how local jurisdictions can work cooperatively with our state correctional facilities make him an excellent choice for Director of Corrections."

Heyns, of Jackson, has served as Jackson County Sheriff since 2003.

He is responsible for a $12.5 million budget, a 450-bed jail operation, 911 central dispatch center and multiple specialized units including marine patrol, detective bureau, K-9, narcotics, traffic, firearms, Special Response Team and school liaison. He previously served as Jackson County Undersheriff and was a Captain in the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.

Following June 1, current Director Dick McKeon will stay on with the Department to serve as Special

Adviser to the Director.  

McKeon will assist in facilitating the transition to Director Heyns and will serve

at the discretion of the Director.

"I would like to thank Dick McKeon for his outstanding work as acting director of the Department of Corrections,"

said Snyder. "Dick's expertise has been crucial as we have moved forward with efficiencies in the Department while providing the highest standards of safety and security for our citizens."

Heyns earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a master's

in criminal justice, with a correctional administration focus, from Michigan State University in 1977.

Heyns obtained his State of Michigan Police Officer Certification in 1981, is a graduate of the National

FBI Academy and has completed special weapons and tactics training.

Heyns serves as chairman of the Michigan Sheriffs' Coordinating and Training Council, is treasurer to

the Michigan Sheriffs' board of directors and serves as chairman of the Jackson Narcotics Enforcement

Team.  Active in the community, Heyns is a former board member of the Rotary Club of Jackson, Jackson YMCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Disability Connections Inc. and the Jackson Affordable Housing Commission.