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Hope and Community Action
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Voters Not Politicians expressed their disappointment with Michigan’s legislature’s inaction toward popular bills that we have been asking for. But they also are optimistic and excited about the future because of the energy and support from individual volunteers as well as collective action. Individually we are strong, and together we can create real change. The…
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Hidden Nation Event
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Adam Kouraimi is hosting his public reveal of THE HIDDEN NATION! This is more than just an event—it’s the beginning of something real. Monday, January 13th @ 6 PM – 7:30 PM in WCC Towsley Auditorium, we’re sharing stories that deserve to be heard and shining a light on the journeys of resilience and redemption. Formerly incarcerated artist/filmmaker Adam…
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Michigan Against Solitary Confinement Statewide Summit
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Join us for a day dedicated to ending solitary confinement, an inhumane and ineffective practice. A catered lunch will be provided from 12–2pm (first come first served). This event is free and open to the public. Held at the Michigan League on campus at the University of Michigan. Featuring Keynote Speaker Prof. Margo Schlanger, Michigan…
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MI-CEMI 2023-2024 Legislative Lookback
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The 2023-2024 legislative season has closed. While the final days of this cycle were marked by chaos and conflict, advocates like you did help get several important pieces of legislation across the finish line, including: Establishing a bipartisan sentencing commission (HB4173, HB 4384): Michigan’s sentencing guidelines have no basis in evidence when it comes to…
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Happy New Year from Voting Access For All Coalition!
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As we close out another year, we’d like to express gratitude to our VAAC family. We know that Civic Engagement is more than just voting … coalition building is power! It’s been a transformative year and we could not have done this work without you. We’re constantly impressed and inspired by this community. VAAC is…
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Lawmakers Absent in Michigan
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The Michigan House of Representatives effectively ended their legislative term this year by not showing up. Rather than representing their constituents and voting on key issues that have been witing for a hearing, 55 representatives were absent from their duties for several days this week. House speaker Joe Tate said of those who failed to…
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Police Contacts Down, Violence and Racial Disparities Remain
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Reporting by the Prison Policy Initiative and the Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that fewer people face interactions with the police than in past years. Additionally, only about half of calls to the police are related to possible crimes—and only about 4% are related to violent crimes—suggesting that these calls would be better handled by…
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Criminal Justice Wrapped 2024
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The Prison Policy Initiatve has created a graphic that summarizes “criminal justice” in the United States during 2024 in a “wrapped” style format. Unsurprisingly, our system of mass incarceration continues to waste money, destroy lives, and break apart families and communities—all while managing to make people less safe. Get more information from Prison Policy Initiative:
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Prison Gerrymandering: Contact Your State Representative Today
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We need your voice now more than ever! Michigan lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 494, a critical step toward ending the harmful practice of prison gerrymandering. This outdated policy distorts district maps, shifts resources unfairly, and silences the voices of communities most impacted by incarceration. We are thrilled that SB 494 passed in the Senate yesterday—but…
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Prison Policy Initiative: Criminal legal system reforms for 2025
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Prison Policy Initiative released a new report that outlines a number of criminal legal system reforms that should be considered in the coming year. The 34 reforms focus on eight areas: Expanding alternatives to criminal legal system responses to social problems; Protecting the presumption of innocence so people receive a fair shot at justice; Decreasing…
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Michigan Legislature Moving Forward on Reform Bills
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This week has been a small victory for criminal legal reform. The bills HB 4160-64 (abolishing juvenile life without parole) and HB 4556-60 (Second Look Resentencing) passed out of the House Criminal Justice Committee with substitution amendments. These bills represent a monumental step toward creating a fairer system that values growth, redemption, and second chances. Advocates, including formerly incarcerated…
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Prison Policy Initiative: The Humanization Project
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People who go through the criminal legal system often feel as if their humanity is being ignored. These feelings are more than justified. Dehumanization is not simply a side effect of incarceration: it is intentional and has been a part of prisons in the United States since the first brick was laid. Prisons in early…
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