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 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 when people…
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.
West Michigan has a proud history of supporting second chances. Come out for these events to celebrate second chances and build support for second look legislation. And be sure to sign the petition below to show that people across Michigan support second chances.
On April 25th we hosted a presentation by Insha Rahman, Vice President for Advocacy and Partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice and Director of Vera Action where she discussed insights in national and Michigan research on crime and safety messaging. Discover effective strategies to shape the narrative, and beat tired “tough on crime” opposition…