Dear Friends,
I recently spoke with a group of students at the University of Michigan's Mary Markley Residence Hall for Black History Month. We had a great conversation about community, safety and mass incarceration in Michigan and the U.S. I left feeling a bit more secure about our future because, once again, I was pleasantly surprised by these young people's compassionate viewpoints and their desire to be engaged in the various processes that can make lasting changes, whether that be direct community organizing, creating alternatives to prison, or policy changes.
These students' faces and the faces of the young people working in our office everyday came into my mind as I listened to a Michigan Senator, during a Corrections Appropriations hearing the other week, give a mandate to the MDOC administration. Basically, he demanded that jobs must come first and if a community's economy depended on the prison for jobs, it should not be closed. The Senator charged Director McKeon to make his number one priority how the economy of the area would be impacted by the closure, as he weighed the decision about closing the one prison that Governor Snyder's budget outlines. No one from the House or the Senate in the joint session said a word about this statement.
Instead of shaking my head in pessimism, I turned to the confidence I have in the young people who--through the advocacy work they perform in our office--become interested in transforming the criminal justice system. I knew that these young folks and other young people connected to our program work would have a differing opinion and would be willing to speak up and point out that a society that depends on keeping people locked up in prison in order to create jobs is a society that should be changed.
This semester we have 18 young people working as advocates for people in prison and their loved ones. They use compassion fueled with critical thinking skills to offer direction and assistance. Ultimately, they walk away with a new perspective on what it really means to lock people up in order to address harms done in communities and larger social inequities that lead to violence. They come away with a more realistic view of prison life and usually they leave wanting to make systemic changes and thinking about creative ways to reduce prison spending and to depopulate prisons.
As one student recently stated:
"I started volunteering at AFSC in the fall of 2010 for two hours a week. Before I started volunteering, I did not know anything about advocacy or the prison system. Every day that I volunteer I feel like I learn something new because the range of issues covered is so wide. Dealing with different issues everyday and trying to resolve these conflicts has sparked an interest in law for me that I never really had before."
In this issue of our newsletter, there are two announcements from another organization working with students and people living in prison, the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP). PCAP announces the 16th Annual Exhibition of Michigan Prisoner Art which will take place March 22 through April 6. If you are caught up in the cycle of sadness and hopelessness that prison often creates, come on out to the exhibit and witness the creative energy of people living inside. PCAP also announces a New Statewide Initiative--read the sidebar article for details.
In addition, you can find a section below with MDOC and State of Michigan budget related information including a PDF of Governor Snyder's proposed budget, a press release that summarizes some of the major themes and cuts of the budget below, and an MDOC Special Edition F.Y.I. that summarizes the budget.
Please, also, review the 10 new Parole Board Appointments as reported by the MDOC's Special Edition F.Y.I.
Finally, in this newsletter are links to a newly released book on the criminalization of LGBT people in the US, a great article by the Drug Policy Alliance's Executive Director, Ethan Nadleman, and MDOC updated and recently released publications and policies.
All the best,
Natalie
|
State Appellate Defender Office Reviewing Cases--See Criteria Below
|
The State Appellate Defender Office's Crime Lab Unit is diligently reviewing cases for issues surrounding the 2008 closure of the Detroit Crime Lab. SADO is interested in reviewing any case that meets the following criteria: (1) the offense occurred within the City of Detroit and (2) the case involved any type of forensic evidence (i.e., DNA, ballistics, gunshot residue). If you have not already done so, please contact SADO if you know of a case that meets the above criteria: Attn: Kim McGinnis, Crime Lab Unit State Appellate Defender Office 645 Griswold, Suite 3300 Detroit, MI 48226
|
|
Prison Creative Arts Project--Prisoner Art Show March 22-April 6, 2011
Opening Reception, March 22, 5:30-8:00pm
|
NATION'S LARGEST EXHIBTION OF PRISON ART CELEBRATES 16 YEARS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR, MI - The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) presents the Sixteenth Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners. Running from March 22 - April 6, 2011, the show will be held at the Duderstadt Center Gallery on the University of Michigan North Campus at 2281 Bonisteel Boulevard. Over the past 16 years, this nationally recognized show has grown to be the largest exhibition of prisoner art in the country. This year's exhibition will include more than 300 works of art by over 200 artists, shedding light on the talents to be found behind prison walls and encouraging the public to take a second look. Free and open to the public, the exhibition and surrounding educational events raise awareness and inspire dialogue between the incarcerated and the community at large. The public is invited to an opening reception on March 22nd from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in the gallery. Formerly incarcerated artists who have now re-entered into the community will speak about what the show means to those in prison. Participating artists express gratitude to organizers and gallery visitors alike, stressing the show's impact on their lives and the community at large. "I believe that your program gives the public a glimpse into the type of things that inspire even the most downtrodden of us all" writes one artist. "When people see our work, for a few moments, they forget that this work was done by a felon, but by another human being. A human being who has the same thoughts, emotions, and inspirations as they do, and for that one moment, a major social and political barrier is shattered." Despite limited resources, exhibition artists create work in a rich range of styles, mediums, and themes. Visitors return to the show year after year to glimpse art that is remarkable for its originality, beauty, and sheer expressive power. Last year, over 4,000 people came to the exhibit. Organizers expect even higher attendance this year and an exciting array of new work. This year's exhibition, curated by Professors Buzz Alexander, Janie Paul, and Jason Wright, exhibits work from over thirty prisons throughout the state. The curators, PCAP Administrators La Shaun phoenix Moore, and Sari Adelson, along with various volunteers travel to these prisons to hand select the strongest work from the artists. As a result of this annual event, the amount of art created in Michigan prisons has increased dramatically, and Michigan prison artists have become national leaders, inspiring others to create art behind bars. The exhibition is to be accompanied by the release of the 3rd Annual Literary Review of Creative Writing by Michigan Prisoners. Readings of works from the publication by formerly incarcerated individuals are set to take place both in Ann Arbor and in the Detroit area, and youth from Detroit will join us for a dialog about what's on their minds, as they speak about their lives and their communities. For full schedule of events please contact the PRISON CREATIVE ARTS PROJECT. Exhibition hours are 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, and 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday - Monday. ### Editors: Photos of art work and gallery available upon request. Reporters: Option of previewing the show on Monday, March 21, upon request. |
|
New Parole Board Appointments Announced From MDOC's F.Y.I. Special Edition
February 25, 2011
Volume 23, Issue 7
| |
Executive Order 2011-3 abolished the current 15-member Michigan Parole and Commutation Board and established a new 10-member Michigan Parole Board. Director Richard M. McKeon announced appointments today to the new Board which will officially be established on April 15. The appointees will begin job-shadowing current Board members on March 7, learning the process and function of the Board to ensure a smooth transition. In addition to the establishment of the new Parole Board, the organizational structure will also be changed. Effective immediately, the Parole Board will be housed within the Field Operations Administration.
New Parole Board members are:
Tom Combs (four-year term): Tom will serve as the Chairperson of the Michigan Parole Board. He has been with the Michigan Department of Corrections since 1982 and is the current Administrator for the Substance Abuse Services Section. During his career, Tom has served as a corrections officer, field agent, field supervisor, supervisor of the electronic monitoring center, and community resource manager in the Office of Field Programs. He has a B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University.
Amy Bonito (four-year term): Amy is the current Administrative Assistant for the Field Operations Administration's Outstate Region. She has been with the Department since 1998, serving as a field agent and acting parole violation specialist. Amy has a B.A. in English, Black American Studies, and Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University and a Juris Doctorate
from Michigan State University Detroit College of Law.
Barbara Sampson (four-year term): Barbara has served on the Parole Board since 2003 and was appointed chairperson in 2007. Prior to her appointment to the Parole Board, she served in positions as program manager and as quality assurance liaison for the Wayne County Department of Community Justice/Adult Services, as an adjunct instructor at Wayne State University, and as a corrections officer with the Department. Barbara has a B.A. from Wayne State University and a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from University of Detroit.
Sonia Amos-Warchock (four-year term): Sonia is a current Parole Board member who has served on the Board since 2009. She has been with the Michigan Department of Corrections since 1989, serving as a corrections officer, probation agent, parole/probation supervisor, acting area manager, and parole violation specialist. Sonia has a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University.
Stephen DeBoer (three-year term): Stephen has been on the Parole Board since 2005. Prior to that, he served for 10 years as the Barry County Sheriff, and also served as first lieutenant and post commander, sergeant, and trooper for the Michigan State Police during a career spanning 25 years. Stephen has an extensive educational background in law enforcement including completion of the F.B.I. National Academy and the National Sheriff's Institute. Stephen attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.
Anthony King (three-year term): Anthony King is a current member of the Parole Board and will continue serving in that position on the new Board. He has been on the Board since 2008. King has an extensive background in college academia in the areas of teaching, research, and administration. His prior positions include Adjunct Associate Professor at Michigan State University, Associate Professor at Wayne State University, and Associate Professor at the University of Alabama. Anthony has B.A. degrees in Sociology and Social Sciences from Cleveland State University, a Master's Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from Washington University. Anthony has a wealth of practice experience and published reports on crime, families and effects
on crime on communities.
Jayne Price (three-year term): Jayne Price is currently a parole/probation supervisor with the Michigan Department of Corrections, serving in Kent County. Jayne started as a corrections officer with the Department in 1983 and has also served as a sergeant, resident unit manager, and parole/probation officer. She has an Associates Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Rapids Junior College, a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University, and a Master's Degree in Communication from Western Michigan University. Jayne has served on at least eight community boards during her career, including serving as chairperson on two of those boards.
Charles Brown (two-year term): Charles was appointed to the Parole Board in 2009 and will continue serving as a Board member. Charles has over 40 years of law enforcement experience including ten years as the Saginaw County Sheriff. Prior to that, he served as a criminal investigator for the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Of fice, and had a distinguished career in the Michigan State Police, serving as a trooper, sergeant, and detective sergeant. Charles has an Associates Degree in Secondary Education and completed the National Sheriff's Institute and the F.B.I.'s Law Enforcement Executive Academy.
Abigail Callejas (two-year term): Abigail is currently a probation supervisor with the Michigan Department of Corrections, serving in Oakland County. She started with the Department in 1998 as a probation officer, then promoted to a department specialist in the Office of Community Corrections. Prior to coming to the Department, Abigail worked as a program developer with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids. She has a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and Master's Degrees in Adult Corrections and Juvenile Delinquency from Michigan State University.
Michael Eagen (two-year term): Michael worked as a prosecuting attorney with the Eaton County Prosecutor's Office for 25 years, serving as an assistant prosecuting attorney, senior assistant prosecuting attorney, and chief assistant prosecuting attorney. Michael has advised state, county, and local officials on legal issues within Eaton County and had 15 years experience supervising other attorneys within the office. Previous work experience includes time as a law clerk for the Eaton County Circuit Court, work with the Dickinson, Wright, VanDusen, and Freeman Law Office and with the Michigan Department of Community Health. Michael has a B.A. in Psychology from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
"Each of these appointees brings to the Parole Board a wealth of experience within various components of the criminal justice system," Director McKeon said. "Their career diversity will help ensure that the new Board continues to make sound and appropriate decisions regarding prisoners who will be safely released back into society." McKeon added, "I want to thank the current members for their commitment to the Board and the Department, especially during this time of increased scrutiny of the parole release process and the resulting pressures placed on Board members. Again, thank you for your service to the State."
|
| Criminal Justice Related News, Articles and Items of Interest | |
An excellent and brief overview of the impact of the War on Drugs over the last forty years and outline of steps that need to be taken to reduce over-incarceration written by the Executive Director of The Drug Policy Alliance, Ethan Nadelmann. Nadelmann states in the article that reform measures: "Require[s] both legislative and administrative action by government, but systemic reform will only happen if the objective of reducing over-incarceration is broadly embraced as a moral necessity." Click here to read:
Drug War Anniversary a Time for Reflection and Action
Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States Drawing on years of research, activism, and legal advocacy, Queer (In)Justice is a searing examination of queer experiences-as "suspects," defendants, prisoners, and survivors of crime. The authors unpack queer criminal archetypes-like "gleeful gay killers," "lethal lesbians," "disease spreaders," and "deceptive gender benders"-to illustrate the punishment of queer expression, regardless of whether a crime was ever committed. Tracing stories from the streets to the bench to behind prison bars, the authors prove that the policing of sex and gender both bolsters and reinforces racial and gender inequalities. A groundbreaking work that turns a "queer eye" on the criminal legal system, Queer (In)Justice illuminates and challenges the many ways in which queer lives are criminalized, policed, and punished. |
|
2012 and 2013 Governor Snyder's Executive Budget Information
| |
Click on the links below to download PDF documents of the Executive Budget, a Press Release regrading the recommended budget, and MDOC's synopsis of the Executive budget in a Special Edition F.Y.I.
Executive Budget Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013
Governor Snyder unveils recommended budget to provide foundation for Michigan's Reinvention
MDOC's Special Edition F.Y.I. Regarding Governor Snyder's Budget
|
|
Family of Prisoners Support Group (FOPS): Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month
|
Family of Prisoners Support Group or FOPS is a peer led, support group for family members of the incarcerated. It meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at 1414 Hill Street (behind 1416 Hill Street), Ann Arbor. Its goal is to help each other with: emotions, money management, resources, transportation, advocacy, and whatever else members find helpful. Please send e-mail to fops@prisoneradvocacy.org or write to FOPS, 1414 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 for more information. |
|
MDOC Policy Directive Changes and Other MDOC-Issued Information
| |
Below is a list of recently revised or issued Michigan Department of Corrections' Policy Directives (PDs) and Director's Office Memorandums (DOMs).
You can find the Policy Directives and DOMs at the following link MDOC Policy Directives. All DOMS are at the very bottom of the page.
Click on the links below to read a pdf of MDOC's F.Y.I. February issues:
FYI 2-04-2011
FYI 2-08-2011
|
|
If you have questions or concerns, please email or call. For Natalie: nholbrook@afsc.org or 734-761-8283 ext. 5
For Pete: pmartel@afsc.org or 734-761-8283 ext.2
In Peace,
Natalie Holbrook, Program Director
American Friends Service Committee
Michigan Criminal Justice Program
|
|
|
|
|
| Prison Creative Arts Project--Statewide Initiative | |
The Prison Creative Arts Project Announces its New Statewide Partnership Initiative
The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP), based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is currently seeking partnerships with community members, artists, arts organizations, and colleges/universities throughout the state of Michigan to co-create/
co-host creative arts workshops in prisons and juvenile facilities.
PCAP's collaborative workshops are typically weekly sessions ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours in length, where volunteer facilitators partner with incarcerated youth or adults to collaboratively create theater, creative writing, visual artwork, or other forms of art. Facilitators are trained by and given creative resources from PCAP, and are part of a network of facilitators available for brainstorming, troubleshooting, and ongoing support throughout their region. There are a variety of ways that workshops could be structured and facilitated in your area of the state depending on the needs, availability and desires of you and/or your group, and PCAP's statewide coordinator is happy to help you determine what makes the most sense. Volunteer facilitators need not possess any formal training or experience in the arts to participate.
If you have questions or wish to become further involved with the Statewide Partnership Initiative or PCAP in general, please contact Jaime Nelson, PCAP Statewide Coordinator, at 734-615-2953 or jjustina@umich.edu.
For a full listing of PCAP's programs and accomplishments please visit Prison Creative Arts Project
|
|
|
|
Newsletter #6
