Over the last couple of decades, calls for criminal justice reform have grown louder and louder. The decades-long policies that led to America's mass incarceration problem have come under increased scrutiny, as these policies have largely been ineffective and have cost states and the federal government billions of wasted tax dollars.
In Michigan, advocates have been fighting tirelessly to end life without parole sentences for juvenile offenders. Now, some advocates are pushing to expand the ban to include offenders up to 25 years of age due to new scientific evidence that brains are not fully developed until around age 25.
Other advocates are fighting hard to reduce average sentences in Michigan, in part by re-introducing some form of good time or disciplinary credits. One organization leading this advocacy is Michigan Justice Advocacy (MJA). They are currently looking for people to support their efforts by signing a petition and by subscribing to their occasional email updates. I would like to urge my readers to do both at www.mijustice.org. You cannot know how to vote on referendums or how to encourage your legislator to vote on bills unless you stay informed.
If you are interested in getting involved in advocacy yourself, you may volunteer your time with MJA. Just let them know of your availability. Also, The Adolescent Redemption Project (TARP) is sponsoring a criminal justice reform rally to end mass incarceration at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on October 14 from noon to 3PM. You can learn more by visiting their website at www.AdolescentRedemptionProject.org.
While I am unable to visit these websites to fully vet them before recommending them, I support many of their goals regarding ending mass incarceration, mandatory life without parole sentences, and more. Staying informed is the first step to participating in critical reform movements, so do what you can to learn about these issues so you can vote responsibly when the time comes.
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