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Advocates urge Michigan Judicial Council to back reentry, sentence relief and funding reforms
Summary
Speakers representing reentry programs and advocacy groups urged the council to support policies improving reentry services, ease resentencing and parole access for long‑term prisoners, and reduce reliance on court fees to fund operations.
Several speakers urged the Michigan Judicial Council to prioritize reentry services, sentencing relief and funding reform.
Estrelita Bezine, a facilitator for the CLEAR reentry program, urged the council to keep funding for community and local collaborators that assist people returning from prison, saying the program “seems to be working very well for the ladies and men that are a part of it.” Chuck Worpachowski of the Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration urged an end to courts’ reliance on fees, fines and forfeitures for funding and recommended continuing work on court data transparency and attendance notifications to reduce bench warrants.
Natalie Holbrook Holmes, program director for the American Friends Service Committee’s Michigan Criminal Justice Program, asked the council to create rules that make it easier for people serving long sentences to challenge questionable or wrongful convictions, and to support resentencing and bond procedures where investigations uncover problems. She also asked the council to engage community organizations in reviewing charging, plea and sentencing practices that produce extreme sentences for women.
Suvi Manor and other public commenters raised concerns about heavy corrections staffing hours and mental health needs for correctional officers. James Gamet of the Marquette County Suicide Prevention Coalition urged clearer rules of procedure to reduce stress and confusion at public meetings and recommended better compliance with parliamentary processes.
The council did not adopt any immediate policy changes at the public comment session but will consider written submissions as it finalizes the strategic agenda.
