Jaye: English program wastes taxes

As part of his ongoing agenda to toughen conditions in Michigan's prisons, a state legislator and University alumnus recently launched an attack on a University English class.

State Rep. David Jaye (R-Macomb), who was elected last week to finish the term of late state Sen. Doug Carl, said English 319, Theater and Social Change, is a "waste of taxpayers' dollars." Students in the class visit Michigan prisons and juvenile detention facilities every week and teach the inmates drama.

"When will these crazy programs stop?," Jaye asked. "This is an outrageous waste."

But many students and faculty members who are involved with the class contend that it is a great benefit to society.

"The notion that people in prison are not interested in growth and creativity is very biased and unfair," said English Prof. Buzz Alexander, the course's instructor.

Alexander said the inmates who make the effort to attend the student-run seminars demonstrate a willingness to grow.

"They sign up for the workshops because they are interested in their own growth," Alexander said. "The plays they present are about growth."

But Jaye argued that the acting skills learned by the prisoners through the workshops could be used as tactics in parole hearings.

"Don't they understand how they are making victims of the law-abiding citizens by teaching them how to con?," Jaye asked. "These programs should never be considered. These people are in prison for punishment."

Jaye also said the program is detrimental to the University students' education and safety since it places them in rooms with inmates and detainees - some of whom have been arrested for violent crimes.

"How many parents know their kids are doing this?" Jaye asked. "They'd be horrified. The students' safety is at stake. They should do this program at a nursing home. I haven't heard of anyone being assaulted at a nursing home."

Alexander said Jaye is incorrect in his assumptions about the safety of the workshops.

"The Department of Corrections does an excellent job in providing security to every volunteer," Alexander said, adding that the inmates "are very greatful for the service we perform and are very protective of us."

Many students in the class criticized Jaye's argument and said the program is greatly beneficial to both them and the people they teach.

"David Jaye is completely missing the point," said RC senior Talya Edlund. "It is about finding your voice and realizing that people's ideas are very valid and beautiful. There is so little caring in the prison system. David Jaye talks about them like they aren't people."

Edlund said that while she teaches the prisoners, she also learns through the visits.

"I've probably benefited more than the prisoners," Edlund said. "I learn a lot about myself through the experience."

Alexander said the course provides an opportunity for the students to see a world they know little about.

"My students, in general, come from well-to-do circumstances, and they come to a place where we house poor people," Alexander said. "They learn that they have their own stories. They have talent. It's a great learning experience about prison culture."

Alexander's work in English 319 was recognized with the Regents' Award for Public Service in 1996.

This is not the first time Jaye has attacked a program within the prison system. In May, Jaye sent a letter to state Rep. John Freeman (D-Madison Heights), chair of the House Corrections Committee, listing 18 proposed policy alterations.

The suggested changes include asking "Mexico and other Central American countries to house Michigan prisoners" and getting rid of central air conditioners for prisoners.

"David Jaye is not being serious about addressing criminal behavior patterns," Freeman said. "He picks on things on the surface that seem pretty ridiculous."

Freeman said Jaye's proposals are not normally given consideration among legislators.

"Most people do not take his ideas seriously," Freeman said. "The Governor could not give two shits about David Jaye."

Jaye's Suggestions

State Rep. David Jaye's prison reform suggestions from a letter addressed to Rep. John Freeman, chair of the House Corrections Committee, dated May 4, 1997:

* "Chain gangs for low-risk prisoners"
* "Continue to eliminate the prison athletic directors and musicals, intermural (sic) sports games with teams outside prison, arts and crafts, jazzercize, perhaps we can require prisoners to generate their own electricity by peddling bikes/generators a certain amount each day"
* "Impose a do-not-resuscitate or delayed resuscitate or an only medical doctor resuscitate for the prisoners trying to kill each other"

12-05-97