A former inmate is offering up ideas on how Michigan's prison system could run more efficiently.
Matthew Purchase spent five years in prison for running a funeral home embezzlement scheme. On Wednesday, the Southwest Michigan native spoke about his experience in front of the House Committee on Corrections.
Purchase says one area that needs immediate reform is prison communications. He said, "Three dollars for a 15 minute phone call to a person who earns $1.50 daily is exorbitant. I outlined that. It would be like the average Michigan worker having to spend $376 for one 15 minute phone call."
Purchase also says the Michigan prison system could save money on healthcare costs by switching to a university hospital system.
