Michigan, you have a sentencing problem.

Now, we have an opportunity to address the challenges of excessive sentencing through a conservative and pragmatic solution: the Second Look Sentencing Act. This proposed legislation, approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee last year, would allow individuals who have served at least 20 years to petition their original court for a sentence reduction.

This policy offers a chance for those who have shown growth and rehabilitation to seek a second chance, reducing the financial and social burdens of long-term incarceration.

For a deeper perspective on the urgency of passing the Second Look Sentencing Act, read this compelling op-ed in the Detroit Free Press.

Stay informed and support this critical legislation by connecting with the American Friends Service Committee.

Members of the Second Look Coalition pictured in Lansing Michigan in 2024, photo courtesy of MI-CEMI.