Campaign For Criminal Justice and Transparency - CCJT

08/18/2026

Our Know Your Rights game is live.

Think you know the criminal justice system? Find out. Play a round, then send it to a friend and see who gets further.

The game is in demo mode right now, a preview of what we are building. Check back over the coming months as we add more levels and topics.

Play here:

A quiz game about your rights, made for middle and high school students. From CCJT (Kalamazoo).

06/30/2026

Today, we're proud to recognize Ashley Huber, who made history as the first-ever Vice President of the Campaign for Criminal Justice Transparency (CCJT).

Ashley is a dedicated advocate, legal professional, and educator who has committed her career to advancing equity and creating stronger connections between our legal systems and the communities they serve. Through her work with the Legal Services Program at YWCA Kalamazoo and as an instructor at Western Michigan University, she continues to empower others and inspire meaningful change. Since joining CCJT's leadership team, Ashley has brought thoughtful leadership, a deep commitment to justice, and a passion for ensuring that community voices remain at the center of our work.

As our first Vice President, Ashley is helping shape the future of CCJT and laying the foundation for the leaders who will follow. We are incredibly grateful for her service, vision, and dedication to building a more transparent and accountable criminal justice system.

Congratulations, Ashley, and thank you for making history with us!

06/25/2026

🌟 Board Member Spotlight: Melody Woods 🌟

The Campaign for Criminal Justice Transparency is proud to announce that Melody Woods has been elected as our new Board President.

Melody serves as the Director of Collaborative Engagement at Kalamazoo Defender, where she works to connect justice-impacted individuals and families with resources, support services, and opportunities for success. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she has become a respected advocate for second chances, reentry support, and criminal justice reform throughout our community.

Her passion for justice, commitment to collaboration, and dedication to uplifting the voices of those most impacted by the criminal legal system make her an exceptional leader for this next chapter of CCJT.

We are excited to work alongside Melody as we continue advancing transparency, accountability, and community-driven solutions across Kalamazoo County. Please join us in congratulating Melody Woods on her new role as Board President! 🎉

06/24/2026

Kalamazoo County is currently renegotiating its jail telecommunications contract, and we hope the new agreement will significantly lower costs for the families paying these bills. The current contract expires November 9, 2026, and the next one will determine what families pay for the next five years.

Jail phone calls may not be what you think. The cost of staying in contact is often higher than expected, and there are real moments when not being able to afford a call means that connection never happens.

A dad helping his third grader work through a math problem. The kind of evening where a kid gets stuck on a number, asks for help, and walks away with both the answer and the confidence to keep going. For families with a loved one at the Kalamazoo County Jail, even a short homework call comes with a per minute charge, plus fees every time money is added to the account. What looks like a quick conversation can become a real budget decision.

A four year old hearing her mom’s voice before bed. The goodnight ritual that helps hold a family together when a parent cannot be there in person. These calls can happen every night, billed by the minute, with deposit and transaction fees layered on top. Over the course of a month, those small calls can add up to an amount many families struggle to absorb.

A sister telling her brother that someone they love has died. Some calls cannot wait until next week. When grief enters a family, the people inside need to hear it just as much as the people outside need to say it. Under the current contract, even these calls are billed the same as every other.

A wife planning her partner’s release. The work of reentry often happens over the phone in the weeks leading up to it. Pickup logistics, job interviews, paperwork, the first paycheck, the first week back. These are the conversations that help someone come home successfully. They are also some of the most frequent and important, which often makes them some of the most expensive.

Learn more about the campaign at ccjtkalamazoo.org/jail-telecommunications-contract

If you have a story to share, you can submit it here: forms.gle/yuHUr5bP9xsRT7Wq8

06/10/2026

If you have ever paid for a phone call or video visit at the Kalamazoo County Jail, or if you have had a loved one incarcerated there, we want to hear from you.

Your experience is part of a larger story that this community deserves to understand. As Kalamazoo County works toward a new jail phone contract, the voices of people who have lived through this system are some of the most important voices in the conversation.

There is no formal commitment to participate. You decide how your story is used, whether that is publicly, anonymously, or shared privately to help guide our work moving forward. Whatever feels right for you is welcome here.

Fill out the form and share your story:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0n6aIjur6WrfCV6aeHsq-qo4xd2HjiFmX5eET5oGXgO29Dw/viewform

06/09/2026

Most people do not think twice about calling someone they love.

For families with a loved one inside the Kalamazoo County Jail, that call can come with a price tag, sometimes thousands of dollars a year.

Kalamazoo County is choosing a new jail phone contract right now, and that decision will shape what families pay for the next five years. The community should have a say in what that contract looks like, and we want to make sure families are heard in that process.

Learn more and get involved:
https://www.ccjtkalamazoo.org/jail-telecommunications-contract

06/04/2026

Jury duty is more than a summons in the mail, it is one of the most powerful ways everyday people participate in our democracy.

For centuries, juries have served as a safeguard against government overreach and a way for communities to have a voice in the justice system. While the system is not perfect, it works best when people show up and participate.

The next time you receive a jury summons, remember: your voice matters, your perspective matters, and your service matters.

Justice isn’t just built in courtrooms. It’s built by communities.

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Last week, Campaign for Criminal Justice Transparency addressed the Kalamazoo County Commission regarding a proposed policy update connected to the County’s jail telecommunications contract.

Because families are charged fees each time they add money to telecommunications accounts, many deposit larger amounts at once to avoid repeated charges. But when someone is released from jail, remaining balances can expire if no action is taken.

Our proposed update is straightforward:
As part of the release process, individuals should receive a clear verbal and written explanation informing them that a balance exists, when it may expire, and how they can recover it.

For people leaving jail, recovering funds from a telecommunications account is often not their first priority. They are focused on transportation, housing, employment, reconnecting with family, and rebuilding stability. Small policy decisions like these can have real impacts on individuals and families across Kalamazoo County.

Read more about our recommendations and how to get involved here:
https://www.ccjtkalamazoo.org/jail-telecommunications-contract

Watch the full public comment video below.