In regard to the recent announcement by our state government concerning the discontinuation of the Corrections Department's work crews, I have to question some of the reasons given for this decision.

The rumor is that this is a pressure-applying tactic by the party in power to get what they want in a new tax bill. If this is the situation, I just hope that after re-thinking this proposal, the decision to discontinue the work crews will be reversed.

If this decision actually goes into effect, it is going to cause a lot of hardship on many townships, counties, etc., who have been relying on these crews for a great deal of very important projects and maintenance.

The entire work program is a win-win situation for local governments, the state, and the young men in the program.

Local governments pay the state a majority of the expenses associated with the crews, but are getting a fantastic return for the money spent. The state is benefiting due to the fact that corrections officers will be required even if the inmates are inside the prison. Inmates working on the crews are receiving a form of quality rehabilitation that will eventually benefit society and themselves when they are released.

I think that anyone who takes a careful look at this situation and knows the facts concerning it will quickly realize that the numbers are skewed, and not even close to reality. When the facts are exposed, the supposed savings of $7 million will be shown as very skewed.

I also believe that this type of governmental manipulating will definitely be remembered in 2008.

Please don't punish local governments, the people of the state, visitors to our state - all who benefit greatly from the work the crews do - to make a political point. Bernie VanSloten Rudyard

Editor's Note: The Department of Corrections Prison Work Crew Program is slated for cuts at the state level, reported Mackinac County Sheriff Scott Strait, but the court-ordered Community Service program administered by the Sheriff's Department, supervised by Robert St. Louis, will not be cut.