Organizations and Associations

Below are helpful links to organizations and associationed related to the Michigan Department of Corrections as well as the parole and commutation process. You will also find information for support groups to help you through the difficult obstacles and other situations presented whenever a loved one is incarcerated.

Michigan Department of Corrections
http://www.michigan.gov/corrections
This is a government site where you will find an abundance of information on the Michigan Department of Corrections.  You can search information regarding all prisons and camps.  You can also access statistics and policies of the Parole Board.  Information regarding all programs and services of the Michigan Parole Board can also be found on this website.

 

CAPPS (Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending)
http://www.capps-mi.org/
CAPPS is a non-profit public policy organization that is concerned about the social and economic costs of prison expansion.  This organization advocates re-examining prison spending policies and shifting our resources to public services that prevent crime, rehabilitate offenders, and address the needs of all our citizens in a cost-effective manner.  To achieve these goals, CAPPS develops data-driven proposals for reducing the prison population while ensuring public safety.

 

FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums)
http://www.famm.org/
Families Against Mandatory Minimums is the national voice for fair and proportionate sentencing laws. FAMM advocates for state and federal sentencing reform, and mobilizing thousands of individuals and families whose lives are adversely affected by unjust sentences. 

 

Second Chance for Youth
http://secondchanceforyouth.com/
This organization focuses on juvenile offenders who have received life sentences.  This group strongly advocates on behalf of these juveniles by consistently petitioning our representatives and senators to change the existing laws so that some of these young lifers can be released to become productive members of society.

 

Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants
http://www.curenational.org/new/index.html

Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) is a grassroots organization that was founded in Texas in 1972. It became a national organization in 1985.  CURE believes that prisons should be used only for those who absolutely must be incarcerated and that those who are incarcerated should have all of the resources they need to turn their lives around. CURE also believes that human rights documents provide a sound basis for ensuring that criminal justice systems meet these goals.  CURE is a membership organization that works hard to provide its members with the information and tools necessary to help them understand the criminal justice system and to advocate for changes.  CURE also has a Michigan chapter (MI-CURE), which can be found at http://www.soros.org/initiatives/usprograms/focus/justice/programs/sentencing/grantees/micure

 

Families and Corrections Network (FCN)
http://fcnetwork.org/
An organization for and about families of prisoners. They offer information, training and technical assistance regarding children of prisoners, parenting programs for prisoners, prison visiting, incarcerated fathers and mothers, hospitality programs, keeping in touch, returning to the community, the impact of the justice system on families, and prison marriage.