The Landscape of Criminal-Legal Reform in Michigan: Carceral State Project Symposium 2025

Saturday, March 29th, 10:30 - 4:30pm

428 S State Street, UM Trotter Multicultural Center

Free event, open to the public with catered lunch

Space is limited, pre-registration is suggested

Join us for a day-long symposium on the evolving landscape of criminal-legal reform in Michigan. Attendees can expect to learn about the historical context and current struggles against harsh criminalization, surveillance, and incarceration in Michigan and hear directly from some of the state’s leading advocacy organizations about their ongoing legislative and grassroots efforts. Speak with related student organizations tabling during the networking lunch. Following the panels, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and learn directly from those working on the ground. Community advocates across Michigan will offer tools and techniques for effective grassroots activism. All are invited to attend a Closing Reception with refreshments and viewing of the PCAP Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons at the Duderstadt Center Gallery. Transportation to/from the gallery will be provided.

 

Community Organizations participating in the panels and workshops:

Safe & Just Michigan

Michigan Center for Youth Justice (MCYJ)

The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Michigan Collaboration to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI)

 

Co-Sponsors:

The Carceral State Project

U-M LSA Prison Creative Arts Project

U-M LSA Department of Afroamerican and African Studies

U-M LSA Department of History

 

CSP Description:
The Carceral State Project (CSP) is an interdisciplinary collaboration designed to bring impacted communities and advocacy organizations together with researchers from the University of Michigan. Our mission is to document and challenge the historical and contemporary processes of criminalization, policing, incarceration, immigrant detention, and other forms of carceral control in the state of Michigan and beyond.