Email this page

AFSC - Ann Arbor, Michigan

The MichiganCriminal Justice Program

The American Friends Service Committee¹s Michigan Criminal Justice Program advocates for over 1,500 Michigan prisoners and their families each year.

The principle motives behind our work are to:

• Directly advocate for people in prison in Michigan on issues such as abuse and mistreatment, problems with health care and mental health care, the use of long-term segregation, parole, educational and therapeutic programming, re-entry, and conditions of confinement
  
  
• Ensure that prisoners and their families are able to obtain their rights and privileges
  
  
• Work for prison downsizing and other systemic changes
  
  
• Raise public awareness on the abuses and systemic
  problems that take place in prisons in Michigan
  
  
• Work in coalition with other grassroots organizations, governmental bodies, and prisoner rights organizations to raise up the problem of using prison as a tool for dealing with social problems (and perceived social problems)
  

In addition, we produce educational materials and facilitate workshops for prisoners and their families to aid in their own advocacy, particularly around parole and health issues. AFSC also works to change those Department of Corrections policies and procedures most detrimental to the rights of prisoners and their loved ones. Regular training sessions are held for volunteers who serve a vital role in the advocacy process.

We believe that through building an "advocacy network"--by training people throughout Michigan to be advocates for prisoner rights--we can encourage more dialogue between prisoners and the general public, as well as more effectively advocate for the rights of prisoners and for humane reform of the criminal justice system. We seek to educate the general public about the real (as opposed to perceived) issues surrounding crime, incarceration, and public safety.

Learn more by visiting www.prisoneradvocacy.org

Inclusive Justice Program

This program works in a multi-issue framework for justice. Attention and resources are focus on the spiritual and religious communities to counter homophobia; creating safe spaces for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer young people and promoting peaceful means to conflict resolution.

Staff facilitate "Toward Understanding" workshops that provide people with the nonviolent communication skills to talk constructively about controversial topics and assist Faith Action Network circles in developing across Michigan.

The Faith Action Network is a project of the Michigan office of The American Friends Service Committee Inclusive Justice Program. The Faith Action Network (FAN) is an interfaith, multiracial, multi-generational alliance of Michigan People of Faith working to secure positive outcomes on Same Gender Loving, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (SGL, LGBTQ) policy issues and to shape public opinion in key Michigan areas by organizing and mobilizing progressive clergy, lay people and faith communities to take a firm and proactive stand for Justice.

Hosted by the Faith Action Network and the Inclusive Justice Program, The Together in Faith Collaborative brings together LGBTQ and Ally people of all ages, races, religions and spiritualities from Michigan for skill-enhancing workshops led by renowned activists and community-building activities with like-minded progressive People of Faith/Spirit/Conscience. Attendees leave with new information, tools and networks to help them create LGBTQ-affirming cities and faith communities through FAN circles and beyond. Communities throughout the nation interested in the FAN model are welcomed to attend.

Regular training sessions are held for volunteers who serve a vital role in the advocacy process. For more information, visit www.faithactionnetwork.org.

^ Top of page