Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

Last night, we were thrilled to discuss our partnership with Verizon at the Verizon Technology and Policy Center. We're excited to create opportunities for proximity and shared learning with our directly impacted community!

We have never been closer to banning Juvenile Life Without Parole in Michigan than we are now. It's time Michigan leaders pass HB 4160-64 (SB 119-23). Join the movement to end this barbaric practice and help pave the way to freedom here: https://buff.ly/3Zej2HM

Great news! Four individuals given extreme sentences as children have been given relief in North Carolina. The Governor has commuted their sentences as recommended by the Juvenile Sentence Review Board, which the CFSY helped form and train. https://lnkd.in/eE7EwXVR

It's time, Michigan. Send your messages to leadership here: https://p2a.co/4pdv5uv

Need weekend plans? Send Michigan leaders a message. Life without parole for kids is wrong and it's time to take action on these bills. https://p2a.co/4pdv5uv

Michigan leadership has an opportunity to end life sentences for kids before the end of the year. Take action now to make this a post-election priority! As Jose says, a child is always a child. https://p2a.co/4pdv5uv

In a powerful op-ed for the Detroit News, Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ reflects on his friendship with Jamil Allen-Bey, once a child sentenced to die in prison, now helping provide shelter, food, and services to Detroit through the Pope Francis Center. Michigan still condemns children to life without parole—a hidden death penalty, according to Pope Francis. It’s time for Michigan to end this cruel practice. Read the op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/ed8PkGuf

On November 7th, the CFSY’s Transformative Healing & Restorative Justice Manager, Kempis ‘Ghani’ Songster, will be a part of the Michigan Center for Youth Justice virtual webinar ‘Redefining Accountability’ in honor of Restorative Justice Month! This free virtual event will explore how restorative justice can transform communities by centering healing and accountability, featuring experts from across Michigan and two young adults who have gone through the restorative justice process together. Register at: https://buff.ly/48ysIjg . #RestorativeJustice #RJMonth

In a powerful op-ed for the Detroit News, Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ reflects on his friendship with Jamil Allen-Bey, once a child sentenced to die in prison, now helping provide shelter, food, and services to Detroit through the Pope Francis Center. Michigan still condemns children to life without parole—a hidden death penalty, according to Pope Francis. It’s time for Michigan to end this cruel practice. Read the op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/ed8PkGuf

We're excited to announce that Bri Murphy and Jess Niewohner have joined the CFSY team! Bri is a recent, second-career graduate of Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, Evening Division. As the Legal Fellow, Bri supports the Transformative Healing and Restorative Justice programs and performs research and data collection about people serving De Facto Life Sentences who were charged as adults for crimes committed when they were children. Bri hopes their legal work contributes to expanded opportunities for post-conviction relief as a means to strengthen our communities, bring more people home, and actualize a more healing justice. Jess is a graduate of Berkeley Law and joined the CFSY in September 2024 as an Equal Justice Works Fellow. In her role, Jess supports Minnesotans incarcerated since childhood who are newly eligible for early supervised release through policy advocacy, data tracking, and hearing preparation. She is passionate about building a future free of incarceration, where in the aftermath of crime or violence, restorative justice, community healing, and the inherent dignity of every human being is prioritized. Please join us in welcoming Bri and Jess!