Humanity for Prisoners

06/11/2026

Education in prison changes lives.

Last week, at the Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison Conference, leaders highlighted the impact of college programs inside correctional facilities:

• Participants are 43% less likely to return to prison
• Every $1 invested saves taxpayers $4–$5
• More than 1,300 students are currently enrolled across Michigan prisons

Today, 14 Michigan colleges are serving students in 15 correctional facilities, but more than 3,000 people remain on waiting lists.

Thank you to Humanity for Prisoners Executive Director Mark Hartman, Jacara Moore from Jackson College, and Richard Nelson of Hope College for sharing your journeys and helping advance the conversation around reentry, education, and opportunity.

06/10/2026

If you've been following the news lately, you've probably noticed that Michigan prisons have been making headlines daily.

In just the past week, major news outlets have reported on prison deaths, medical care concerns, prison conditions, staffing challenges, oversight issues, and calls for accountability.

At Humanity for Prisoners, we hear from incarcerated individuals every day. We know there are many perspectives on what needs to change.

So we're asking:

Which issue do you believe needs the most urgent attention in Michigan prisons today?

☐ Medical Care
☐ Prison Conditions
☐ Accountability
☐ Staff Culture & Leadership

Whether you've been incarcerated, worked in corrections, have a loved one inside, or simply care about these issues, we'd like to hear from you.

06/07/2026

"A Michigan Department of Corrections employee has been placed on "stop order," and is suspended with pay, as an investigation continues into allegations that inmates at the women's prison were ordered out of their beds in the middle of the night, told to clean the chow hall floor, and threatened with solitary confinement if they refused, a department spokeswoman said June 5."

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/06/06/womens-huron-valley-prison-employee-suspended-over-inmates-allegations/90425269007/

06/06/2026

Sometimes the most meaningful support comes from people who understand struggle firsthand.

Recently, Humanity for Prisoners received a $25 donation from an incarcerated individual along with a message thanking HFP for reminding people inside prison walls that they still matter.

‘The words “You Matter” really means a lot…’

That message touched our hearts deeply.

At HFP, we know advocacy is important, but so is compassion, encouragement, and simply reminding people they have not been forgotten.

To read more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/7iwSVxD/hfp”

06/05/2026

From a juvenile life sentence to a weekend of profound milestones.

This May, Shawn England marked two massive steps forward in his lifelong journey of faith, scholarship, and restoration. On Saturday, May 16, he crossed the stage at the Covenant Fine Arts Center to officially graduate from Calvin Theological Seminary with his Master of Theological Studies—an academic path that began through the Calvin Prison Initiative years ago as he was serving a life sentence inside prison walls.

The very next day, the celebration continued at The Vault, where Shawn was officially commissioned as the Pastor of Celebration Fellowship Church (Outside).

Shawn’s lived experience uniquely anchors his ministry, and his leadership is already deeply impacting communities across the state of Michigan. We are incredibly proud to celebrate his accomplishments as he continues his advocacy work and pursues his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree at Calvin.

06/04/2026

Humanity for Prisoners is excited to participate in three upcoming Reentry United events across Michigan this summer.

-->On July 15, HFP staff will be inside Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian partnering with Reentry United to connect directly with incarcerated residents and distribute advocacy and reentry resources.

-->On August 5, HFP staff will again partner with Reentry United at Newberry Correctional Facility to continue supporting incarcerated individuals preparing for reentry.

-->Then on August 14, the entire HFP team will attend the 5th Annual Reentry United Conference at Grand Valley State University to collaborate with partners from across the state working to strengthen reentry pathways in Michigan.

Your support helps Humanity for Prisoners continue showing up in person for incarcerated people and families across Michigan.

Learn more here:
https://www.humanityforprisoners.org/services/reentry-assistance

06/03/2026

Every year, men and women die in Michigan prisons.

Some are mourned by loved ones on the outside.
Others die with no one left to claim their remains.

Humanity for Prisoners is currently in the early planning stages of a memorial initiative to honor incarcerated individuals who died in Michigan prison custody over the past year.

According to recently obtained records, 140 people died in Michigan prison custody last year. Thirty-two reportedly had no one claim their remains.

If you would like to help support or volunteer with this developing memorial project, please contact Doug at [email protected]. Read more here: https://conta.cc/4npibOO

06/02/2026

Humanity for Prisoners would like to recognize longtime journalist and friend of HFP, Paul Egan, for his years of reporting on prison conditions and incarceration issues across Michigan.

Recently, Egan received both a McCree Award from the Michigan Press Association Foundation and additional honors from the Michigan Press Association, including third place for Journalist of the Year, for his investigative reporting throughout 2025.

As Egan recently wrote, ‘Prison conditions don’t get much attention in Michigan,’ making investigative reporting on these issues all the more important.

HFP Founder Doug Tjapkes has communicated with Paul Egan for years regarding prison conditions and issues impacting incarcerated individuals across Michigan.
We are deeply grateful for journalists who continue shining a light on prison conditions, accountability, transparency, and human dignity throughout our state.

Congratulations, Paul, and thank you for your continued commitment to justice-focused reporting in Michigan.

Read more here: https://conta.cc/4npibOO

06/01/2026

At just 15 years old, Efrén Paredes Jr. was sentenced to life without parole in Michigan.

Today, after nearly four decades incarcerated, supporters say he has demonstrated growth, accountability, leadership, and transformation.

Amnesty International is asking community members to take action by signing a commutation support campaign urging Governor Whitmer to review Efrén’s request for release.

At Humanity for Prisoners, we believe children should not be sentenced to die in prison.

Please take a moment to visit the campaign page and fill out the form in support of commutation consideration for Efrén.

Write a letter to Governor Whitmer, asking her to support commutation for Efrén Paredes Jr.

06/01/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of Humanity for Prisoners’ work is reminding incarcerated people that they are not forgotten.

Recently, we received a message from the chairman of the Warden’s Forum at M.T.U. informing us that incarcerated individuals at the facility voted to donate $2,500 to support HFP’s work.

That gift came directly from people living inside the prison system, people who understand firsthand how much compassion, advocacy, and human connection matter.

Moments like this remind us that kindness still exists in difficult places, and that even those with very little often continue finding ways to give back to others.

Today is the last day of our UNBALL campaign, donate here: https://www.humanityforprisoners.org/posts/humanity-for-prisoners-the-annual-unball