Category: Justice Drill Down

Michigan juvenile lifers have never had much chance for life. They have no chance of parole because of crimes they committed as kids. Michigan has over 350 people serving such sentences, the most in the country. However, most are not young anymore. On a humanity basis they deserve compassion. The law says they should get…

I know a man; call him Randy. He just won a big important gulf war battle. Yes, that war is still going on for many. Randy is broken and diseased in many respects, but now he can live the rest of his life with a semblance of peace. The VA finally came through, and for…

The appetite to punish is showing up in the Oxford, Michigan, shooting case. And once again, it shows that punishment of children is no exception. We are in a cycle of extreme punishment. Here are a couple of the reasons why: Jail is the Biggest Repository for the Mentally Unhealthy The boy’s behavior was called…

Now come the tragic Oxford school killings. So, juvenile law practices will stay in the spotlight of controversy. This tragedy will either help or hurt juvenile law. And Michigan is among the most draconian in the nation. To work, justice must be quick, evidence-based, render offense-appropriate sentences, and not be unduly subjected to prejudicial factors.…

Coming of Age in Prison was the topic of interest at the Birmingham Next Community Center, last evening (11/18/21). Wendi Johnson, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Oakland University gave the audience a preview of her new research on this important topic. Ms. Johnson provided an insightful look at the lives of three Michigan men;…