Second Look Legislation would provide incarcerated persons the opportunity of a second chance after having already served a long prison sentence (10 years or more).
Here’s a stat Michigan shouldn’t be proud of:
Incarcerated people in Michigan serve, on average, the longest sentences in the nation, and these long prison sentences aren’t keeping Michigan safe.
It’s been documented that:
- Longer prison sentences don’t make us safer.
- People who are released after serving long sentences are statistically very unlikely to reoffend.
- Many in prison, especially women, are there as a result of domestic violence and/or human trafficking.
- With average prison costs of $34,000-48,000 per person, not including healthcare, Second Look offers significant savings.
- Researchers at the Ford School of Public Policy estimate savings of approximately$200M/year through Second Look.
- Money saved by reducing excessive prison sentences could be reinvested in violence prevention, victim services, and mental health.
Sign the Petition:
Support Second Look Legislation
Tell your representatives you support Second Look Legislation!
What Is Second Look Legislation?
- The Second Look Sentencing Act would provide an opportunity for incarcerated individuals to petition their sentencing judge for a reduction of their sentence after serving a long prison sentence and if they are deemed to no longer pose a risk to the community.
- The judge would carefully consider input from the victim, the seriousness of the original offense, the incarcerated person’s history and behavior, and any risks or benefits to society.
- After a successful resentencing the parole board would also review the case prior to release.
More Information:
Let Me Tell You Project:
Stories from Second Look Supporters
→ In The News:
- ‘Second Look’ legislation can correct injustices in Michigan by Carol Siemon for LegalNews.com
- My father was killed. The man responsible and serving life without parole should not be in prison. by Nabil Zebib for Metro Times
- Second Look legislation can fix Michigan’s criminal legal system by Cozine A. Welch Jr. for Metro Times
- Second chance legislation could reform legal system by Jennifer Szenay for The Detroit News
→ Further Reading: ‘Let Me Tell You What Second Look Means To Me’ A Zine of Women’s stories
→ Find more of these stories at LetMeTellYouMI.org
Organizations that Endorse Second Look Legislation:
Second Look Legislation is endorsed by organizations such as ACLU of Michigan, Safe & Just Michigan, and many more!
View the full list of organizations that support Second Look
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Citizens for Prison Reform (CPR)
Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw
Episcopal Church of the Incarnation (ECI)
Friends of Restorative Justice of Washtenaw County (FORJ)
Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ)
Humanity for Prisoners (HFP)
League of Women Voters of Michigan (LWVMI)
Linc Up
Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength (MOSES)
Michigan Center for Youth Justice (MCYJ)
Michigan Citizens for Justice
Michigan Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (MI-CURE)
Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI)
Michigan Conference United Church of Christ
Michigan Justice Advocacy (MJA)
Michigan Liberation
NAACP Grand Rapids
Nation Outside (NO)
National Lifers of America, Inc. (NLA)
National Organization of Exonerees
New ERA in Criminal Justice
Northridge Church
Notes from the Village
Open MI Door
Power in Passion
Proactive Grand Rapids
Restorative Justice at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor
Rise Up Michigan
Safe & Just Michigan (SJM)
State Appellate Defenders Office (SADO)
Steps to Life, Inc.
The Delta Project
The Sentencing Project
Voice of Detroit
Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC)