15 November 2023
Governor Walz:
On October 7, 2023 we met at the Veteran Suicide Awareness event held in Bemidji. I shared with you my idea of “Once in a Lifetime” debt forgiveness to the state to those incarcerated, upon their release. You expressed great excitement at the concept. You handed my business card to your aide, Brandon Clark, and told him, “Don’t lose this, I want to get back to this man.” I send you this follow-up letter about my friend Tim’s future. Tim’s past behavior has been driven by lack of self-empathy, self-respect, hopelessness, and no sense of future. Let’s break the cycle.
In reviewing your 2023 Legislative Session DOC Impact Brief I see several initiatives that will have a positive impact on Minnesota citizens who have paid their debt to society. However, I see an important piece missing, debt forgiveness. I believe it is a fiscally responsible idea. Tim, for example, owes the state about $95,000. As a released felon, fortunate enough to find an entry level job, how is he possibly expected to repay that?
I cannot find current data on Minnesota incarceration costs, but after studying available information, I estimate it must be at least $75,000 annually per inmate. Do the debt forgiveness math and you will see that the concept is a great investment for the state. And it adds a level of humanity and sense of future to the newly released citizen, thus lowering the risk of recidivism.
Let me share this cycle of self-destructive behavior.
Tim is released from prison to a halfway house. He is drug-free, in a good place psychologically, and is excited to be reunited with his children. Tim struggles to find a job because of his past behavior. When he does find work, he is enthusiastic, on a path to a new future. About the third paycheck, Tim’s wages are garnished for past due debt. Suddenly he is earning less than a livable wage. He spirals down into depression and hopelessness. Tim quits his job, begins selling/using drugs, theft, domestic abuse, homelessness. Eventually he is arrested and the cycle repeats. If one does the math and Tim’s debt is forgiven, perhaps we can break the cycle.
Tim is Native American, a member of White Earth Nation, and I believe, a victim of generational trauma. We read intellectual accounts of past trauma but let me share a personal experience with you. In 1960 my mother was committed to Fergus Falls State Hospital, and I was placed in a foster home with four little Native boys from Ponemah. At that time, Ojibwe was the first language in that remote community. I remember distinctly, the Beltrami County social worker directing the foster parents to not allow the children to speak Ojibwe. Many nights I snuck food up to three-year-old Ervin because he was sent to bed without supper as punishment. Those children were from the generation of Tim’s parents.
Tim is a microcosm of a great injustice. I firmly believe this “Once in a Lifetime” debt forgiveness plan can open a new path for many Minnesota citizens who, at this time, see no hope and no sense of future.
Here is a short television interview of my past community involvement:
https://lptv.org/local-veteran-honored-with-award-for-community-work/
Respectfully, Wendell Affield
I sent the above letter to the aide who took my card, with this note: Good morning, Mr. Clark, A few weeks ago, at the Veteran Suicide Awareness event held in Bemidji I visited for a few moments with Governor Walz about an idea I have to cut recidivism. He sounded quite interested. Attached is a follow-up letter I wrote to him. If you can please get it to him, I would appreciate it. Thank you, Wendell Affield
It’s been eight months since I sent the follow-up letter. It is quite apparent that Governor Walz was not truthful to me. Or else he needs a new aide.