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 a virtual conversation focused on employment barriers, workforce development, and real solutions that help people rebuild their lives.
The Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI) opposes construction of new prisons, jails, or immigration detention facilities in the state of Michigan and the reopening of shuttered prison facilities for incarceration or immigration detention. MI-CEMI supports efforts to improve conditions of confinement at prisons and detention facilities and prioritizes efforts to reduce the number of people detained or incarcerated as a key driver for improvements to conditions.
The state of Michigan is incarcerating far more people than is necessary and reasonable.
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 who shaped his journey and witnessing the impact of his story on those still inside renewed his determination to keep doing this work.
In Michael’s own words:
Going back into prison was an experience I’m still processing.
Excessive Minimum Sentences Sentences for Adolescents Are Cruel, Unusual
LANSING: Michigan Criminal Justice and Public Safety organizations today thanked the Supreme Court for hearing People v. Eads, (MSC Docket No. 168205). In 1992, Mr. James Eads was convicted of second-degree murder and felony-firearm for crimes he committed when he was 16 years old and was sentenced to 50-75 years in prison.
The governor, House, and Senate have finalized their proposals for the 2026-2027 budget year. While there are parts to celebrate (maintained funding for reentry community services, no cuts to prison food, etc.), there are significant cuts that cause concern.
As lawmakers negotiate the final budget, we call on them to:
Fully fund SADO Juvenile Lifer Resentencing: Not only does this funding ensure that people who were given unconstitutional sentences of life without parole have the opportunity for a full sentencing review, each 10 years of unnecessary incarceration prevented saves taxpayers half a million dollars that can go into prevention, treatment, and victims’ services.
Fund the bipartisan Sentencing Commission: Michigan’s sentencing guidelines are outdated and do not reflect research-based findings on how to best ensure public safety and fiscal accountability. The Sentencing Commission brings together a broad group of stakeholders with researchers to recommend evidence-based revisions sentencing guidelines.
Fully fund prison education: College, skilled trades, and career readiness programs improve public safety and prevent recidivism by preparing incarcerated people for successful reentry and employment. We support reinstating the $940k cut from prison education/skilled trades/career readiness programs and restoring the $850k of non-recurring funding for college in prison that was in last year’s budget.
