"Thank God for the body-worn camera. You can hear the punch," The crazy part if the officer involved has been promoted to sergeant 😱

“We now look to ICE to conduct a thorough review and share their findings per their policy. Mr. Gantchev's death sadly underscores how the Trump administration is exacerbating unconscionable conditions in a detention system that is proven to be inherently inhumane.”

"the court agreed … that the concurrent prison terms, which allow for the possibility of parole but still constitute a life sentence, violate the principal of proportionality which courts must maintain when weighing sentences" https://pro.stateaffairs.com/mi/courts/1988-murder-case-remanded

Right now, Michigan is considering the Fair Chance Access to Housing Act, which would limit the use of conviction history screening during the rental application process. This bill would open doors, helping more than 2 million justice-impacted Michiganders find stable housing.

Ronnie Waters was more than a former juvenile lifer. He was a loving and committed man who never stopped fighting for justice and for second chances. Ronnie, we are glad you had the chance to come home, proud that you made the most of it, and sad for the hole your passing leaves in our lives.

$7M and the police don't even know where the sensors are. There are much better ways to use those funds to improve safety. #SafetyNotSurveillance https://michiganadvance.com/2025/12/15/detroit-police-officials-overseeing-gunshot-sensors-dont-know-their-locations-and-say-thats-fine/

Thank you Humanity for Prisoners for speaking the truth: "the vast majority of contraband walks right through the front gate, carried by staff"

Not sure about the link between immigration justice and criminal justice? Check out this chart of local jails profiting off immigration detention. https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/12/michigan-county-jails-are-making-millions-off-the-ice-deportation-boom.html

The state house just cut $645 Million in funding to state projects, including prison education, a housing pilot program, firearm safety, and more. Here's what our fiscal sponsor has to say (link in comments)

Not only was Mr. Langston sentenced to die in prison for someone else's actions, the principle used to sentence him was ruled unconstitutional. I'm appalled that Dana Nessel and the Van Buren Prosecutor are arguing he should still be in prison 😡 Link in comments

"Pullano says without appropriate programming, inmates could end up back in prison" Which is why Matt Hall's the decision to cut $2M from prison education this week puts Michiganders at risk https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/12/11/tv6-investigates-nonprofit-group-seeking-prison-reform/

More proof that we can't trust local PDs to set the floor for use of force, de-escalation, & duty to intervene. It's past time to establish statewide police standardization, training, & accountability policies

"At Kinross Correctional Facility, Jordan Johnson spends most days in his cell waiting. Waiting for the critical parole-mandated classes that he can't even begin until he is close to his earliest release date." It shouldn't take a mom moving mountains to have programming early in their stay

Trying to stop drugs in prison is like trying to buy a car w/ money from the couch cushions. It's not that there's nothing there, it's just not the main source https://michiganadvance.com/briefs/michigan-department-of-corrections-adopts-new-mail-policy-in-attempt-to-stop-drug-smuggling/

Chang is right: “Some people have been in prison for many decades. They’re now just very different people. They’ve changed themselves. Maybe they don’t need to be there any more." https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2025/12/michigan-adapts-to-aging-prison-population/

There have been major improvements in ensuring returning citizens come home with their ID documents, but there's still a long way to go. https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2025/12/state-id-program-helps-people-leaving-prisons-stay-out-of-prison-but-some-slip-through-the-system/

"No kid should walk into a courtroom alone – or be left in detention feeling thrown away." https://michiganvoices.substack.com/p/what-it-means-to-lack-an-attorney

Eric Anderson's case highlights why it's important to review past convictions—and how under-resourced the offices are that do these reviews. https://www.metrotimes.com/news/metro-detroit-news/a-detroit-mans-wrongful-conviction-became-the-blueprint-for-sweeping-criminal-justice-reform/

I just can't imagine a situation where someone thinks, "If I grab his gun it's 15 years in prison. I would do it if it were 10, but now I won't." https://www.mlive.com/politics/2025/12/take-a-police-officers-gun-face-longer-prison-sentence-under-michigan-bill.html

Bad 911 staffing can escalate police response. This is a real problem. https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-911-centers-turn-to-overtime-temp-workers-amid-staffing-crunch/

Threats to due process for immigrants are threats to all of our freedoms https://www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-justice-legal-system/2025-11-26/in-michigan-detention-centers-immigrants-push-for-freedom-through-habeas-corpus-filings

The case history here is complex, but the non-retroactivity of the Aaron case is a travesty, it's time for the courts to fix that https://pro.stateaffairs.com/mi/courts/supreme-court-hears-felony-murder

"It also recommends … supporting community violence intervention initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of violence" https://michiganadvance.com/2025/11/24/michigan-gun-violence-task-force-urges-higher-age-limits-and-assault-weapon-ban-in-final-report/

Witnesses, survivors, and family shouldn't worry that a visit to the courthouse will result in arrest and deportation https://www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-justice-legal-system/2025-11-21/michigan-supreme-court-considers-rule-that-could-bar-immigration-arrests-in-court

And they should also be able to use some of that food in the chow halls to improve health, taste, quality of prison food. https://www.wlns.com/top-stories/mdoc-donates-fresh-produce-to-support-michigan-nonprofits/

A fresh start starts with an ID. If you’ve had trouble getting your ID after incarceration, we’d love to hear your story and work together to change this once and for all. Please reach out to Kari Lariz at [email protected] or (916) 605-6727 if you have a story to share.

"The government shouldn’t be in the business of punishing people forever for unrelated mistakes." Thank you Mackinac Center for shining light on this important issue https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/viewpoint-redemption-requires-opportunity-reform-120038963.html

Know anyone who would be a good fit for the chief of staff position for the sentencing commission? https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Content/Files/CouncilAdministrator/Employment/Posting_Chief%20of%20Staff_MSC_%20Nov_2025.pdf

R Street recently dropped a solid review of MI data and policy. They call for solving violent crimes, improving data transparency, and sentencing reform.

Kym Worthy did a good thing by calling for the review of this wrongful conviction, but the best apology is changed behavior. Will she at DPD change policies & practices? https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/wayne-county-team-reviews-wrongful-robbery-conviction/

Good news. Local law enforcement agreements w/ ICE decrease public trust, hurt public safety https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/11/a-second-michigan-police-agency-backs-out-of-partnering-with-ice.html

“Right now, we have profit motivated policing and profit motivated court systems,” he said. “Why do we need that tension between us and the community?" https://michiganadvance.com/2025/11/14/michigan-judiciary-offers-new-trial-court-funding-model-to-end-conflict-between-fees-and-justice/

“The ability for us to visit facilities that we fund and where our constituents are being housed is a longstanding, fundamental and crucial aspect of our job.” https://www.mlive.com/politics/2025/11/michigan-bill-would-allow-lawmakers-to-inspect-prisons-without-notice.html

"Advocates say that the event also urged the Michigan government to uphold the “human rights of all incarcerated people.”" https://www.wlns.com/news/advocates-call-for-improved-prison-conditions-in-michigan/

Most drugs come in from staff. Most restrictions land on shoulders of prisoners & families. https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2025/11/michigan-prison-guard-pleads-to-smuggling-drugs-to-incarcerated-murderer.html

Our friends at Nation Outside are recruiting board members, and especially lookin for formerly incarcerated folks to help lead the organization. https://nationoutside.applytojob.com/apply/nxbp8nWKqK/NO-Board-Member-Statewide

All children deserve meaningful support when navigating the justice system. Right now in Michigan, that’s not a guarantee. #PassHB4070 because #KidsDeserveCounsel. actionnetwork.org/letters/kids... #JuvenileDefense #YouthJustice #PassHB4070 #MILeg #KidsDeserveCounsel

Angel McKissic and Peter Hammer lay out an action plan Detroit and other cities can take to prevent federal attacks on democracy https://www.metrotimes.com/topic/views-and-opinions/who-will-defend-detroit/

This is such a better response than criminalizing addiction https://concentratemedia.com/harm-reduction-efforts-seek-to-reduce-high-overdose-rates-in-ypsi/

$2.4M in profit for the city by extracting money, mostly from the poorest residents. Shame! https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/11/well-end-profit-motivated-policing-new-proposal-seeks-to-change-the-way-michigan-courts-are-funded.html

👏👏👏Yes, don't charge people court fines and fees if they're too poor to pay them. Creating desperation makes communities less safe, not more https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/06/michigan-commission-recommends-new-court-funding-strategies/87085635007/

These abusive enforcement techniques undermine public safety for everyone!

Troops aren't needed in Detroit. The local approach to comprehensive public safety focusing on community violence intervention and grassroots uplift is paying off to bring crime to record lows https://www.mlive.com/politics/2025/11/michigan-national-guard-chief-no-troops-needed-in-detroit.html

Congrats to Darryl Young, more proof that investing in community and opportunity is the best path to public safety! https://michiganchronicle.com/a-detroit-man-turned-his-second-chance-into-a-bustling-west-side-diner/

The Restorative Justice summit was amazing, thank you Dispute Resolution Center for hosting! https://concentratemedia.com/michigans-first-statewide-restorative-justice-summit-debuts-in-ypsi/

I know this is wonky, but it's important. It's too hard to get solid info about what's going on w/ the jails. #accountability https://behaviorhealthjustice.wayne.edu/news/cbhj-and-partners-innovate-data-systems-to-identify-behavioral-health-needs-in-jails-across-michigan-67462

Join the Detroit Justice Center on Nov 12, 4-6pm for a free screening of Autumn, a short-film that explores the impact of incarceration on children & why keeping families connected matters.  Food & childcare provided. RSVP at bit.ly/DJCautumn!

Great story about the Organization of Exonerees gala last week https://www.metrotimes.com/news/metro-detroit-news/from-a-life-sentence-to-a-life-of-purpose/

We are hearing rumors of a brutal federal crime bill to be proposed next year. We hope Sen. Slotkin realizes the crime bill is part of the same playbook and stands up against it.

I wish this didn't feel like the exception to the rule https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2025/10/27/detroit-cop-violated-policy-during-a-traffic-stop-chief-says/86933765007/