Blog

In facilities such as St. Clair County Jail and others nationwide, in-person visitation has been replaced with fee-based phone and video communication, often placing a financial burden on families. These policies have led to prolonged separation and the loss of important family moments. Recognizing the impact of these restrictions, several families have filed lawsuits as part of the “Right to Hug” campaign, seeking to restore opportunities for in-person connection.

Following a decade of meaningful criminal justice reform, recent years have seen progress stall amid rising public concern about crime. Nonetheless, key opportunities remain to advance policies that promote both safety and economic mobility. Reforming occupational licensing frameworks would allow more individuals with criminal records to enter the workforce, increasing access to quality employment while contributing to long-term public safety.

An estimated 2.8 million people in Michigan have criminal records, many tied to low-level or nonviolent offenses, including those from their younger years. Without expungement, these records have long created barriers to employment, housing, and long-term stability

Expanding Access to Fair Housing Opportunities Vera is building on years of groundwork by helping pass laws in states including Maryland and Michigan that reduce barriers in the rental market for people with conviction histories. Common elements of these reforms include ending automatic rejections, shifting background checks to later stages, and requiring individualized reviews. Together,

About 2.8 million Michiganders have a criminal record, which often restricts their access to housing, jobs, and other essential resources needed for stability. As a result, many individuals re-entering their communities after incarceration face homelessness, unemployment, and social isolation, all of which raise the risk of reoffending.

Starting over is nearly impossible without stable housing, yet many people leaving incarceration face exactly this struggle. Obstacles such as limited job opportunities and direct discrimination have contributed to a largely overlooked crisis in housing for this population.

Michigan Prisons Strain Under Growing Inmate Numbers as Sentences Lengthen Read More… Longer sentences push Michigan prisons closer to capacity Source: Bridge Michigan Author: Janelle D. James | March 9, 2026

Legislators Introduce Bills to Ensure Formerly Incarcerated Citizens Can Obtain IDs Read More… State lawmakers push bills to guarantee IDs for citizens returning from prison Source: wzmq19.com Author: Sophia Murphy | March 3, 2026

Irwin Calls for Closure of Women’s Prison Following Oversight Hearing Read More… Irwin Calls for Closure of Women’s Prison Following Oversight Hearing Source: The Sun Times News Author: Heather Finch | March 5, 2026