Today, more people are serving life sentences in the United States than the entire prison population in 1970. The nation’s increasing reliance on these extreme punishments since is a hallmark of mass incarceration and the challenges advocates face in dismantling it. 

The Sentencing Project, Wayne State University, and advocates currently serving life at the Detroit Reentry Center and Women’s Huron Correctional Facility invite you to a discussion on the impact of life sentences and the growing movement calling for “Second Look” policies that scale back long-term incarceration. The discussion will highlight sentencing policies in Michigan, featuring national and state policymakers and the insights of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people sentenced to life in Michigan.

Panelists include:

• U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib
• Darryl Woods, Fighting the Good Fight, Michigan Appellate Defenders Commission, survived 28 years and 11 months in prison
• Marc Mauer, The Sentencing Project
• Michigan Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack
• Nicole D. Porter, The Sentencing Project
• Danielle Sered, Common Justice
• Kimberly Woodson, survived 29 years in prison
• Michigan State Representative Mike Mueller
• Jose Burgos, survived 27 years in prison
• Michigan State Representative Tenisha Yancey

Moderator: Matthew Larson, Wayne State University

Special video presentation will feature Michael Tubbs, Everett Jackson and Bernice Starks who are currently incarcerated advocates at the Detroit Reentry Center and Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.