GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI) held a town hall meeting in Grand Rapids to discuss "Second Look" legislation and overall prison reform.
The legislation would allow prisoners to petition their sentencing judge for a reduction of their sentence after serving a long prison sentence, as long as they are also deemed to no longer pose a risk to the community.
The meeting included five panelists who spoke with attendees on a variety of prison reform topics. Panelists included two people who were formerly incarcerated.
One of those was William Kitchen, who grew up in Muskegon Heights and was sentenced to 11 years in prison when he was 14 years old.
"While I appreciate the tireless and hard work of the legislative process of Second Look, I just have so much love unconditional and undying love for each and every person in this room and connected to people in this room that gives us a second look," Kitchen said.
Kitchen was incarcerated for over 20 years, and now co-teaches a class at Grand Valley University. He is also an advocate for people formerly incarcerated.
"When we are just in the stores, when we are in the community, when we are at school, when we just need a ride or encouragement and a pick me up," Kitchen said. "I appreciate each and everybody that's not afraid to give people like myself a second look."
Panelists also discussed the impacts of longer prison sentences and the costs. There's more information on the proposal at michigancollaborative.org