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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

Opinion: Turning Prison Experience into Federal Reform: Improving the First Step Act Read More… Opinion: From prison cell to federal reform: A fix for the First Step Act Source: The Hill Author: Peter Navarro

Michigan’s only women’s prison faces allegations of mold, drug activity, and more, say former workers and others Read More… Ex-employees, others testify about mold, drug trafficking and more at Michigan’s only women’s prison Source: WXYZ Detroit 7 Action News

Once individuals have paid their debt to society, blocking them from meaningful employment serves no one. Preventing access to work not only harms families—it can also increase the likelihood of reoffending.

According to a newly released report from a state-appointed disability rights organization, incarcerated women in Michigan regularly went without food and medicine due to shortages of wheelchairs.

A suicide prevention program created by Michigan State University researchers and carried out in partnership with Genesee Health System and the Genesee County Jail lowered suicide attempts among participants by 55%, according to recently released data.