Humanity for Prisoners

Humanity for Prisoners Humanity for Prisoners works one-on-one to assist those who are incarcerated in Michigan's prisons. Contact us by phone at: (616) 935-0075.
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Mission:
With compassion for those who have nowhere else to turn,
Humanity for Prisoners (HFP) provides personalized problem-solving services for
people in prison. Vision:
Every person in prison knows they matter. Values:
● Humanity
● Responsiveness
● Empathy
● Responsibility
● Justice
● Hope

Registration is now open for Humanity for Prisoners' biggest event of the year, the 4th Annual Voices of Humanity Benefi...
09/02/2026

Registration is now open for Humanity for Prisoners' biggest event of the year, the 4th Annual Voices of Humanity Benefit & Film Screening!

Join us on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Trillium Events in Spring Lake as we celebrate 25 years of providing hope, encouragement, and support to men and women incarcerated in Michigan prisons and to their families.

The evening will include a formal dinner, silent auction, and a screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall.

More than a fundraiser, this event is an opportunity to come together around the values that have guided Humanity for Prisoners for the past 25 years: dignity, compassion, hope, and second chances.

Whether you're joining us as an individual guest or hosting a table of eight, we'd love to have you with us as we celebrate where we've been and look ahead to the work still to come.

Register, reserve a table, or learn more about our 25th Anniversary sponsorship opportunities using the QR code or link below:

https://tinyurl.com/joinhfp

We hope to see you there!

Real criminal justice reform happens in many ways. At Humanity for Prisoners, we help people navigate immediate challeng...
08/31/2026

Real criminal justice reform happens in many ways. At Humanity for Prisoners, we help people navigate immediate challenges while they're incarcerated. Every day, we hear from people and families dealing with barriers created by the criminal legal system. While we focus on helping individuals address those challenges, our partners at Safe & Just Michigan work to change the policies that create them in the first place.

This year, Safe & Just Michigan is celebrating "Five Years of Fresh Starts," marking the anniversary of Michigan's Clean Slate legislation. For many of the people and families we serve, reforms like Clean Slate can mean greater access to employment, housing, education, and a genuine opportunity to move forward after involvement with the criminal legal system.

We are honored that Safe & Just Michigan will present Humanity for Prisoners with the 2026 Justice Warrior Award at its annual Signature Event on September 3 in Lansing.

Although registration has reached capacity, we encourage everyone to learn more about and support SJM's important work on behalf of justice-impacted individuals, their families, and communities throughout Michigan.

https://www.safeandjustmi.org/

Photo (left to right): Mark Hartman, Executive Director, Humanity for Prisoners; Brad Warner, Intake & Communications Specialist, Humanity for Prisoners; and Cassie Larrieux, Senior Policy and Research Specialist, Safe & Just Michigan.

Today, Humanity for Prisoners celebrates 25 years of action with compassion.What began on August 29, 2001, as a grassroo...
08/29/2026

Today, Humanity for Prisoners celebrates 25 years of action with compassion.

What began on August 29, 2001, as a grassroots effort has grown into Michigan’s dedicated resource for one-on-one advocacy for incarcerated individuals and their families. We couldn't have navigated this past quarter-century without exceptional leadership.

In his 12th anniversary blog post, The Wind Beneath Our Wings, Founder Doug Tjapkes honors the five dedicated professionals who have chaired our Board of Directors over the years: Dr. Evan Reinders, Dr. Dan Rooks, Cindy Anderson, Russell Bloem, and our current chair, Dr. Jim Niewenhuis.

As Doug writes, "These five kind, competent, compassionate individuals... made it happen! They're still making it happen!"

Read Doug’s full tribute to HFP's leadership here: https://humanityforprisoners.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-wind-beneath-our-wings.html

In the tenth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes reflects on what he learned about men...
08/27/2026

In the tenth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes reflects on what he learned about mental illness in Michigan prisons during the organization’s earliest years.

Through the stories of Arnie, Kevin and Kyle, Doug recalls the abuse and neglect experienced by people whose mental health needs were met with incarceration instead of appropriate care—and how HFP stood beside them and their families.

“Our job is to be there for these people and their families. That’s exactly what HFP does.”

Read the full story:
https://www.humanityforprisoners.org/posts/on-mental-health-issues-behind-bars

In the ninth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes shares one of the organization’s most...
08/26/2026

In the ninth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes shares one of the organization’s most remarkable stories.

Mark Hartman first came to Humanity for Prisoners as a client. After earning two degrees while incarcerated and returning home, he joined HFP’s Board of Directorsand later became the organization’s Executive Director.

Only God could have written this script!

Read the full story:
https://www.humanityforprisoners.org/posts/only-god-could-have-written-this-script

In the eighth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes honors two unsung heroes who helped ...
08/25/2026

In the eighth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes honors two unsung heroes who helped ensure the organization’s survival.

Pete and Judy VanderArk offered their friendship, guidance, generosity and hands-on support during one of the most difficult periods in Doug’s life and HFP’s history. Their contributions helped sustain the organization and strengthen its compassionate work in Michigan prisons.

As Doug writes, “It’s time to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude.”

Read the full story:
https://www.humanityforprisoners.org/posts/pete-and-judy-instrumental-in-hfps-survival

In the seventh reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes looks back on the organization’s lo...
08/24/2026

In the seventh reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes looks back on the organization’s long history of serving women at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

From welcoming women home on the day of their release to advocating before the Parole Board for a terminally ill woman who wanted to spend her final days with her family, HFP has consistently shown up with love, respect and compassion.

“That’s who we are. That’s what we’ve been doing for the past 25 years. That’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Read the full story:
https://www.humanityforprisoners.org/posts/whv-history-healthcare-terrible-hfp-wonderful

In the sixth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes shares the remarkable story of a rela...
08/23/2026

In the sixth reflection commemorating HFP’s 25th anniversary, founder Doug Tjapkes shares the remarkable story of a relationship transformed.

John Smietanka began as someone Doug considered a bitter enemy because of his connection to Maurice Carter’s wrongful conviction. Decades later, an unexpected meeting led to a meaningful friendship, and John became a dedicated advocate for HFP clients seeking justice.

Read the full story, “From Perceived Enemy to Treasured Friend”:
https://www.humanityforprisoners.org/posts/from-perceived-enemy-to-treasured-friend

Address

Grand Haven, MI
49417

Telephone

+16169350075

Website

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