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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
You have the power to drive real change in our criminal legal system. You are invited to join us in creating content that advocates for a future free from mass incarceration, violence, and inequality. Our goal is to end life and long sentences, shift the focus from punishment to accountability and healing, and work toward…
We invite you to join us for two important events coming up soon in Detroit, where we will engage in crucial discussions on the Second Look Resentencing Act and Juvenile Life Without Parole. 1. Second Chances: A Listening SessionDate: October 16th, 2024Time: Dinner 6:00 PM, Presentation 7:00 PMLocation: 8850 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202At this…
Join us for a discussion on Ethical Storytelling on Thursday, November 21st, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM EST. This event will explore how to center impacted voices in our narratives while avoiding tokenization and retraumatization. We’ll hear insights from representatives of Safe and Just Michigan, the Michigan Center for Youth Justice (MCYJ), and the American…
CONTACT: Will Mesinger, Will@MerakiCommsGroup.com, (518) 338-7119 (Lansing, Michigan) – Today, the Second Look Michigan Coalition released the following statement responding to the severe staffing shortages in Michigan’s prisons: Today, there are hundreds of people sitting in Michigan’s prisons who pose no threat to society, have served significant time, and in many cases, are unable to…
Are you the one running the show on your organization’s social media? Do you handle website updates like a champ? Are you the go-to person for getting your cause in the news spotlight? If you said yes to any of these, check out the video of our event from Tuesday, May 7th.