Rally for criminal justice reform draws large crowd in Lansing

LANSING—On October 14, legislators, loved ones of individuals who are incarcerated, faith leaders, formerly incarcerated individuals, and dozens of organizations, among others -- gathered for a major rally for much-needed criminal justice reform. Legislators announced they will push to revamp MI’s broken criminal justice system and give incarcerated people a second chance at freedom.

Michigan State Sens. Stephanie Chang and Jeff Irwin, along with other speakers, discussed a growing movement for “second look” reforms. Such reforms, which are gaining support nationwide, enable courts to re-evaluate incarcerated people’s sentences after they serve a certain amount of time in prison, providing an opportunity for a second chance.

Chang said, “People mature. People have mentors that they meet in prison and become even better people. People absolutely can change. And that is what we believe. We’re all here because we know that people can change.”

Irwin called on participants to take action, stating, “Make sure you touch base with your representatives here in Lansing and ask them to support second look legislation. Ask them to end mass incarceration in Michigan. Ask them to believe in rehabilitation. Ask them if they believe in second chances. Ask them if they know people in their community who have come back from doing their time and are now contributing in positive ways in their communities.
Because what we need from them, what we need from every one of these 148 legislators is a yes to every one of these questions.”

One in seven incarcerated people in the Michigan is serving a life sentence, largely because local judges are required to give out some of the harshest sentences in the nation. Hundreds of these incarcerated people were sentenced to life without parole as children -- when their brains weren’t yet fully formed. Nearly four in ten of the people serving life are 55 or older -- one of the highest rates in the entire country.