Jen Szénay | Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration

You’re Invited: Join Us for the First In-Person Michigan Statewide Incarceration & Violence Prevention Learning Community Event!

March 31, 2025

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We are thrilled to invite you to the first-ever in-person gathering of the Michigan Statewide Incarceration & Violence Prevention Learning Community! This is an exciting opportunity to connect with advocates, leaders, and changemakers from across Michigan as we come together to share knowledge, learn from each other, and strengthen our collective efforts. Event Details: Date:…

Investing in a Safer Michigan Budget Recommendations

March 24, 2025

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Jen Szénay

Today a coalition of organizations released their 2026 Michigan Budget Recommendations to Invest in Crime Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Reentry. Tell your lawmaker to support the budget recommendations. With Michigan seeing record low rates of violent crime and low rates of recidivism, the FY2026 budget is an opportunity to double down on the programs that prevent…

Attend “Life After Overcoming Trauma” on April 5 to Uplift Survivors of Domestic Violence

March 22, 2025

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Jen Szénay

Violence at the hands of an intimate partner affects more than 10 million people in the U.S. each year. For incarcerated women, the numbers are even more staggering—over 77% have experienced intimate partner violence, and 86% have survived sexual violence. These deep, lasting traumas are directly connected to the cycle of punishment and incarceration we…

MI Statewide Violence and Incarceration Prevention Learning Community: Specialty Courts Discussion

March 20, 2025

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Jen Szénay

This month, the MI Statewide Violence and Incarceration Prevention Learning Community continues our deep dive into incarceration prevention by exploring specialty courts. These courts—such as drug courts, veterans courts, and mental health courts—offer alternatives to incarceration by connecting participants to services and support. Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2025 Time: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. EST But…

The Power of Language: MI-CEMI Joins VAAC’s Weekly Coalition Meeting

February 18, 2025

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Jen Szénay

At MI-CEMI, we know that words matter. The language we use shapes how society views individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. That’s why we created the MI-CEMI Impact Language Glossary—a resource designed to help advocates, media professionals, and policymakers use language that uplifts rather than dehumanizes. On Friday, March 7th, from 12:30 – 1:30…

Michigan Violence and Incarceration Prevention Learning Community Session on Diversion

February 13, 2025

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Jen Szénay

Often someone’s involvement in the criminal legal system is the result of underlying problems like poverty, mental illness, or substance use disorder. Arrest, jail, and prison don’t address these underlying problems, and as our friends at Michigan Liberation remind us, “You can’t get well in a cell.” Many sessions in our learning community have focused…

Breaking Barriers: Strengthening Prison Programming Together

February 5, 2025

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Jen Szénay

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first MI-CEMI Prison Programming Providers Table quarterly convening of 2025. Our discussion explored key strategies, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen programming in-reach and relationship-building efforts. The discussion highlighted that, while there is an important role for department-provided and mandated programming, there is a special transformative power…

Join the Conversation on Harm Reduction & Mental Health

December 17, 2024

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Jen Szénay

Recently, MI-CEMI’s Steering Team member organization, the Detroit Justice Center, hosted a powerful two-day Harm Reduction Convening in Detroit. This impactful event brought together experts, organizers, and community leaders to address the harmful and punitive responses to substance use and mental health crises. The focus? To uplift solutions grounded in harm reduction that keep our…

Join Us for a Powerful Conversation on Harm Reduction & Non-Carceral Responses to Mental Health and Substance Use

November 19, 2024

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Jen Szénay

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Learning Community event on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 12:00 – 1:30 PM, focused on Harm Reduction & Non-Carceral Responses to Mental Health and Substance Use. This event will explore transformative approaches to support individuals facing these challenges without relying on police or prison as a…

Join Us in the Fight for Commonsense Police Accountability

November 7, 2024

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Jen Szénay

Take Action Today: Limited Window for Police Accountability Reforms We have a short window of opportunity to push critical police accountability bills forward in the Michigan House of Representatives. These bills—SB1091 (Use of Force policy requirements), SB1092 (Training Requirements), and SB1094 (Limiting No-Knock Warrants)—have already passed the Senate but need House approval to become law.…