K-pep And Berrien County Jail inhumane conditions Benton Harbor Michigan

Kpep is a parole and probation program. It is suspossed to be an alternitave program to jail. The concept of Kpep is good but it does not pratice what it preaches. Indivudals are sentenced to Kpep for drug charges, stealing, child support and other offenses, there are also federal inmates who have done several years in federal prison sentenced there.

The problem with Kpep is that once a person has done 30 to 90 days in jail, they are sent to kpep to do 30 to 150 days in kpep. If the person does not get a job within that time they are sent back to jail for probation violation even if they have done everything else the program requires. some of these individuals can not read or write, but they are expeted to get a job and pay rent. Some individuals need serious drug intervention, but they have to walk through drug infested neighborhoods to get to the jobs.

This facility in Benton Harbor, does not have air conditioning in the summer, it can reach over 90 degrees in the building. One side of the building is rented to another orginazation, it has air conditioning, the air has been disabled for the rest of the building. In the winter the heat does not work or is extremely hot in the winter. there are about 70 residents in Kpep, with no air or heat. The company claims it will cost too much to fix. If Kpep keeps an individual there should'nt they provide air and heat?

The men and women sentenced to Kpep for child support have to stay for 45 days, if they don't have a job they can go to jail after that. What is the use of being sentenced to Kpep and then being resentenced once your time is up? With the economy on the down slide can some one who did not go to highschool have a chance in the job market.

The people that go to Kpep are not innocent, but basic humane conditions where they have to pay rent should be afforded.

Look at the treatment of officials in the county and the treatment they got for their crimes

Mrs. Harry Laity (wife of Berrien County Judge)
Involved in a FATAL car accident
Alcohol/Speeding
Prior Accidents
No Bond RELEASED TO JUDGE
NO JAIL
Judge and Prosecutor disqualified themselves
Sentence $1,000 fine

Kristina Stille (daughter of Leon Stille, Michigan State Senator)
Involved in a FATAL car accident
Drunk Driving
Prior accidents with injuries/tickets
No Bond RELEASED TO SENATOR
NO JAIL
CHARGE DISMISSED within 6 hours
Judge Tolen (wife of Berrien County Prosecutor Cherry)
Accident
Drunk
Prior accident
No Bond RELEASED TO PROSECUTOR HUSBAND
NO JAIL
Judge and Prosecutor disqualified themselves
Sentence: $105 fine

Stephen Marschke (ex-sheriff of Berrien County)
Ran a racist political ad in his failed bid for Berrien County Sheriff.
Charged by many in the FATAL death of Eric McGinnis
Put Berrien County at risk of race riot
LEAKED confidential news
Made chairman of Michigan parole board

No more
Benton Harbor, Michigan
U.S.A.