Services

CCJ provides issue analysis, educational materials, and policy advocacy on a variety of issues related to the collateral consequences of criminal convictions.  CCJ is not able to provide individual representation to ex-offenders in most cases, but works to address systemic barriers affecting ex-offenders.  For more information see the prisoner re-entry page under the "Our Work" section of this website.

Partnerships

Statewide Re-entry Workgroup

Legal Aid of Western Michigan, CCJ, and the University of Michigan Clinical Law Program are co-founders of this state level group in 2002.  The group includes state agency officials, community organizations, private attorneys, and legal aid organizations.  The group has worked to improve policies and remove barriers related to employment, government benefits, child support enforcement, state ID cards and other areas.

Michigan Prison Re-entry Initiative

CCJ’s Executive Director served on and facilitated several workgroups as part of planning undertaken by the Michigan Prison Re-entry Initiative.  These workgroups provided recommendations to the Michigan Department of Corrections on how to prepare prisoners for successful re-entry into the community.

Local Prison Re-entry Initiatives

Saginaw County Prison Re-entry Initiative - CCJ serves on the Community Advisory Council for the Saginaw County Prisoner Re-entry Initiative.

Genesee County Prison Re-entry Initiative - Legal Services of Eastern Michigan hired CCJ to write a handbook for ex-offenders.  Although focused on resources in Genesee County, it includes a lot of useful information about family law, employment, public benefits, and other topics.  Finding Your Way Booklet 

Training for Defense Attorneys on Collateral Civil Consequences

CCJ has provided training on the collateral consequences of criminal convictions at events sponsored by the Criminal Defense Association of Michigan, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and for defenders in Wayne County. Click Here to view a 2006 PowerPoint presentation used by CCJ and Legal Aid of Western Michigan as part of a joint presentation to criminal law attorneys.

Current Issues and Advocacy  

Employment

In 2007,  the working group on re-entry submitted recommendations to the Michigan Department of Corrections on ways that MDOC could help ex-offenders find and keep employment.  Click Here for this report. 

The working group also advocated successfully with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth that it should not permit advertisements from employers who have an absolute bar on hiring felons.  Such bars may violate civil rights laws.  DLEG is now monitoring its on-line talent bank to make sure that those posting do not utilize absolute bans on ex-offenders. 

Family Reunification

In 2008,  the working group on reentry submitted a letter to the Michigan Department of Corrections on ways that MDOC could help ex-offenders reunify successfully with their family upon release.

State ID for Ex-Offenders

Both the working group and CCJ are trying to remove barriers that prevent ex-offenders from obtaining State ID cards.  Some of the successes include:

They helped advocate for a policy change in which a prison ID was accepted as one of the three required identification documents.   

They facilitated a memorandum of understanding between the Social Security Administration and the Department of Correction on  how ex-offenders can obtain social security cards.   

They helped obtain an internal policy at the Department of State which permitted use of a letter from a parole office within 30 days of release verifying the ex-offender’s residence as  proof of that address.

SSI and felons

Issue Alert: Federal law says that certain felons cannot qualify for supplemental security Income.  The Michigan poverty law program Update Newsletter discusses this law.  http://www.mplp.org/Resources/mplpresource.2006-03-31.1052918624/view?searchterm=felon

Useful Links

Prison Re-entry Wiki Website This website is a great one-stop source for information and self-help tools for agencies, ex-offenders and their families.

Manual for Attorneys and Advocates  - http://www.sado.org/civil_legal/

Finding Your Way Booklet