RIGHT NOW, people can’t afford a call with their incarcerated loved ones to tell them they’re ok, they’re sick, or they’re dying. We need to do better. 

SIGN THIS PETITION to demand free communication! 
#ConnectFamiliesNOW
The Michigan Department of Corrections is taking a series of measures to protect its staff, the prison population and the community as positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been identified in the state.
There are now 22,783 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Michigan as of April 10.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Total Confirmed Prisoner Cases
​to Date by Location ​
June 1st, 2020

  • *According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, an individual is considered “recovered” once they have gone 30 days from the onset of symptoms.
  • *A step-down unit has been opened at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility for prisoners who previously tested positive for COVID-19, and have since been medically cleared by the MDOC’s chief medical officer, are symptom free and are no longer considered contagious. Access to the unit is limited and prisoners in the unit do not have contact with the rest of the population at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility. Prisoners at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility are housed in a step-down unit at the facility and are not transferred to Gus Harrison Correctional.
Those with questions about parole, healthcare or programming for prisoners, correctional facility operations or other corrections-related issues can call the numbers listed below for more information. Please call the number for the section that most appropriately applies to your issue.
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Parole and Probation (517) 335–1979
  • Release info
  • Parole status
  • General field questions
Healthcare (517) 335–2263
  • Status of a prisoner
  • COVID-19 related protocols
  • Healthcare-related questions
Prison (517) 335–1418
  • Questions related to PPE supplies
  • Questions related to cleaning supplies
  • Questions related to physical plant
  • General prison-related questions
Programming and Education (517) 881–2534
  • Questions related to programming
  • Questions related to education
General (517) 388–6892 or (517) 388–6894
  • Questions that do not fall into one of the above categories

REPEAL Truth in Sentencing

The Michigan Prisoner Rehabilitation Credit Act is an opportunity for people to support the development of Michigan state’s prison system to the level of that of the federal system and the majority of other states across the country. Michigan is one of only a few states left that does not have earned credits available to incarcerated people. MPRCA will allow prisoners to work on their own rehabilitation at their own pace, while earning credits toward an early release if they choose, regardless of the date on which they were sentenced. With the passing of MPRCA prisoners will be incentivized to achieve their higher education goals, enroll in training/vocation programs and work to develop their skillsets in preparation for their release. With the passing of MPRCA, we will dramatically reduce the prison population resulting in the shift of the annual $3 billion in taxes spent in Michigan on keeping people imprisoned longer to other areas like community development, public education, roads, infrastructure and healthcare.  
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This online petition calls for not only the reinstatement of Good Time Credits through the passing of MPRCA but it also calls on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to relieve prisoners from harsh TIS laws using her executive power. None of her executive orders passed thus far have been to protect one of our most vulnerable populations, those impacted by mass incarceration in Michigan, a state whose incarceration rate (641) far surpasses that of the combined national average of the UK (139) and Canada (114) combined! In response to this, Gov. Whitmer must be responsible to incarcerated people and their families by protecting the health of those in prison as we approach the height of the pandemic through finally repealing TIS laws, an outdated and failing sentencing guideline that puts people at risk and further strains our overcrowded prisons and overburdened healthcare system during this critical time. 

Release Elderly and Vulnerable People from Prison in Michigan!

Please click the link below to sign the letter addressed to Governor Whitmer requesting her to use her executive powers to expedite the release of elderly and vulnerable people in prison in Michigan in the wake of a National Emergency due to the pandemic COVID-19 . 

Various organizations have met with Governor Whitmer's Policy Team over the last months to encourage policy that leads to the use of Governor Whitmer's Executive Commutation and Pardon Powers. 

CPR would like to thank Americans Friends Service Committee for their hard work to protect our vulnerable prison population. 

Family Advisory Board Q & A with MDOC Administrator, Kyle Kaminski

Check out the Family Advisory Board's Q & A with MDOC Administrator, Kyle Kaminski. 
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FAB regularly meets with the Michigan Department of Corrections to address the concerns of families. We recently discussed concerns surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and how the MDOC is working to ensure the safety of our loved ones.

Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, Keith Barber
Parolee Report
March 27th, 2020 ​

Parolees should consult with their parole agents if they are unsure whether they are required to report.
 
All parole and probation offices are physically closed because the lobbies would present issues in terms of potentially spreading COVID.  Agents are completing reports and home calls in the field.  Reporting standards are still in place, with agents focusing on their high risk offenders.  Low risk offenders that can utilize phone reporting are being monitored that way.  Drug testing is also continuing in accordance with statute, but the MDOC has ordered oral swabs to complete as much drug testing as possible using swabs (the offender can swab themselves and place it on a table where the agent can pick it up).
 
The MDOC has focused on limiting parole violation returns over the past few years to those cases the MDOC believes are a clear threat to public safety.  That continues to be the case now. Purely technical parole violations are unlikely to result in a return to prison. Returns to prison are primarily for assaultive behavior, threatening behavior, domestic violence, and weapons possession. Anyone on the Sex Offender Registry and violate conditions of parole are required.