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Housing is a Human Right
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Housing is a human right, yet people with conviction and arrest histories in Michigan face immense barriers to finding stable housing. In fact, a recent survey from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority found that respondents with conviction or arrest histories faced the highest levels of housing discrimination of any group. The more than 2…
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Voting Needs Our Protection
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This year’s elections were remarkably safe and fair, thanks to volunteers and poll workers from across the political spectrum. But, according to an opinion article in the Los Angeles Times, our process of voting, and our democracy as a whole, is under serious threat. [Some people], suspicious of our elections, are trying to turn democracy…
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Reframing the Goals of Incarceration
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Lauren-Brooke Eisen and Ram Subramanian wrote an excellent article for the Brennan Center for Justice offering an alternative perspective on the purposes of incarceration. Their approach centers around the idea of dignity. Prisons should give people access to education, therapy, and other rehabilitative activities. Through allowing incarcerated individuals to pursue meaningful activities inside prisons, they…
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Testimony Supporting Michigan Pretrial Reform Legislation Package
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On November 12, 2024, the House Criminal Justice Standing Committee heard testimony on a package of bills to advance pretrial reform in Michigan. Safe & Just Michigan Executive Director John S. Cooper provided written testimony and stated: “The pending bill package would eliminate cash bail in many low-level, non-violent cases while leaving the existing system…
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In Solidarity and Strength Beyond One Election
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Dear Vaac Community, We are a coalition of people directly impacted by the legal system, along with close allies, working to ensure that every person in Michigan knows their right to vote and has the tools to exercise it. In 2024, we showed up powerfully to do just that. This election, VAAC helped hundreds, many…
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Join Us in the Fight for Commonsense Police Accountability
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Four years after the tragic deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and too many others, Michigan is still waiting for meaningful police reform. Despite strong bipartisan support and well-crafted proposals refined through extensive outreach to law enforcement and community groups, no substantial legislative action has occurred. With time running out in this legislative session, we…
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Panel Discussion on Belonging and Redemption
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Restorative Action Alliance is offering a free panel discussion November 18, 2024, at 7:30–9:00 pm, titled Reimagining Belonging: Redemption, Repair & Reentry in Faith Communities.
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Safe & Just Michigan Fall 2024 Newsletter Released!
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Safe & Just Michigan sends this quarterly newsletter to over 600 incarcerated readers at the Michigan Department of Corrections. The newsletter reports on policy updates, outreach and educational activities. It informs readers of the valuable work that continues to be done in our communities to support meaningful change in policies and public opinion related to…
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Prison Policy Initiative: Local Governments and Prison Gerrymandering
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Population counts from census data distort representation by counting prisoners as residents where they are incarcerated instead of their home. Take a detailed look at the state of prison gerrymandering across the country with this resource from Prison Policy Initiative. We’ve identified over 200 cities and counties that have taken action to avoid prison gerrymandering…
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One Week Out
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We are officially in the last week before Election Day! If you have not already voted, now is the time to make a plan and see it through. And be sure to bring all your friends with you. This is what it’s all about. Use your power, and vote.
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Early Voting in Michigan!
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Early voting starts statewide in Michigan October 26! Several localities have already started voting. If you would like to vote before Election Day, it’s easy, but your early voting location might be different than your regular polling place. Find your early voting locations at Michigan.gov/vote. Do you still have your absentee ballot? Return it ASAP…
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Combatting Disinformation
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Disinformation in political campaigns and social media has been confusing and muddling information about our communities for years. We need to do better to promote factual narratives and evidence-based information. Fortunately, there are ways to do this through regulation, public policy, and individual action. The following is excerpted from a scholarly article (“Combatting disinformationHow it…
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