Employment is one of the most critical components of successful reentry, but access is not equal. Too often, those leaving prison face stigma, policy barriers, and a lack of support when trying to find meaningful work. MI-CEMI’s Reentry Table, Employment Opportunities & Pathways to Work, brought together advocates, workforce development leaders, and community members for…
Earlier this month, MI-CEMI’s Program Coordinator, Michael Taylor, returned to prison for the first time since coming home, joining the Reentry United event at Carson City Correctional Facility. What began as a surreal experience quickly became a powerful reminder of the importance of hope, connection, and the fight to bring people home. Reuniting with men…
It’s been five years since the murder of George Floyd sparked a national reckoning. While some reforms have been proposed or enacted, many communities in Michigan are still asking: Has anything truly changed? On Wednesday, May 28 from 12:00–1:30 PM, join us for a special Michigan Statewide Violence and Incarceration Prevention Learning Community session focused on…
At MI-CEMI, we believe that quality programming inside Michigan’s prisons is a cornerstone of both rehabilitation and dignity. That’s why we created the Prison Programming Providers Table—a quarterly space for educators, advocates, and organizers working inside to share resources, improve programming access and quality, and engage with advocacy efforts to address prison policy issues. Our…
Your story has power—and your voice can move the needle. MI-CEMI is proud to partner with Engage Michigan to offer Mic Check: Spokesperson Training for the Movement, a free virtual training built for directly impacted leaders, community organizers, and advocates across Michigan.
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:…
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…