Event | 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:…

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…

You’re Invited: Use Your Voice to Discuss Criminal Justice Reform in Michigan

October 10, 2024

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Jen Szénay

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…

Second Chances: Exploring the Impact of Resentencing and Juvenile Justice

October 10, 2024

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Jen Szénay

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…

Storytelling with Integrity: Centering Impacted Voices Responsibly

October 10, 2024

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Jen Szénay

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…

Michigan Coalition Calls for Second Look Legislation to Alleviate Staffing Shortages in State Prisons

August 22, 2024

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Chuck Warpehoski

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…