Every Sentence Has a Story

When you learn someone has spent decades—or longer—in prison, it’s easy to think you know them. But each one of the 13,000 people in Michigan serving life or long-term sentences continues to evolve.

Headline 2 : The Vision

Inside one of the nation’s longest-serving prison populations is living proof that extreme punishment doesn’t work. People who have served long sentences are proven to age out of criminal behavior, while continuing to cost taxpayers $38,000 a year. As long as they’re locked up, their families and communities suffer—robbed of vital connections and resources.

Let Me Tell You is a collection of first-person stories from the people most impacted by mass incarceration. We invite you to explore, challenge your perceptions and take action.

Featured

Browse a full selection of stories here.

Paintings by Theodora Moss

The Bible states “Your gift will place you in front of great Kings and Queens” Pov. 18:16         First, let me start with a brief history of myself. I've been incarcerated for 32 years and I’m an artist who can work with...

Before Prison by August M. Williams

My name is August M. Williams, and I’m giving you, the reader, brief insight on me as a young person. I was born in a middle class homestead, and was blessed enough to experience more joyful moments than sad ones. Both of my parents were in the house until I was five...