The Power of Family Engagement to Create Policy and System Change Lois DeMott, Co-founder - Citizens for Prison Reform 2014 Soros Justice Fellow - Family Participation Program

The Impact of Incarceration on Families and Children… calls for support, not isolation and shame.

Every family has their own unique experience and story. Media, exposed without a choice Secrecy, shame, anger, guilt, extreme grief that often does not heal with time Financial and emotional burdens are significant Accessing information about the system is challenging. Families often feel powerless, unable to advocate and “walled off”.

We are here to assist and help you find support. Recognize and name the struggles families face. Recognize the trauma, stigma and brokenness. Remind families frequently we know what the results will be if we do not work for change.

KEVIN DEMOTT, AGE 15 DAY OF SENTENCING TO MDOC

LETTER BELOW WRITTEN IN 2007 BY MINOR INMATE, KYLE, AGE 14.

Another youth, a year prior to his sentence. Age 15 when sentenced to adult prison.

How Can We Best Involve Families? Share in their experience, provide them with resources. Empower them to see beyond their own loved one’s situation to recognize others who have no one to be their voice. Help them share more than just their own story, creating community and building momentum. Share stories of other families who have become engaged and brought small or larger change due to sharing their stories and using their voices. Provide resources, data, research and white papers.

CITIZENS FOR PRISON REFORM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

THE OUTCOMES OF ENGAGING FAMILIES AND WORKING WITH SYSTEMS: 2015 Family Advisory Board to Michigan Department of Corrections

ACCOMPLISHMENTS THROUGH SHARING OUR STORIES AND EXPERIENCES :  CPR’s creation of a Resource Guide for families.  Family Information Packet now available on MDOC’s website, ordered legislatively.  Standard Authorization form for prisoners to sign, gives family access to know of a medical or mental health crises. Ordered legislatively. Now on MDOC’s website.  Director reduced loss of visits due to two substance abuse tickets from 2 years to life to 1 year, at warden’s discretion.

LOOKING AT THE LONG-TERM LOSS OF VISITS AND THE AFFECTS ON FAMILIES Licensing and Regulatory Affairs- Administrative Rule R Noncontact visitation. Rule 614. (1) Visits by members of the public with prisoners who are classified to security levels V, VI, and segregation and who are housed in an institution or housing unit of that security level may be limited to noncontact visits, except that a contact visit between a prisoner and his or her attorney shall be allowed if requested by the attorney, except as provided in subrule (2) of this rule. (11) The director may permanently restrict all visitation privileges, except with an attorney or member of the clergy, for a prisoner who is convicted or found guilty of any of the following: … (d) Two or more violations of the major misconduct charge of substance abuse. (12) The director may grant reconsideration and removal of a permanent visitor restriction of all visitation privileges that is imposed pursuant to subrule (11) of this rule. (13) Nothing in this rule creates an enforceable right of the prisoner to receive a visit or of a visitor to visit a prisoner. MDOC Policy: Two or more violations of the Class I misconduct charge of substance abuse for behavior that occurred on or after January 1, 2007, which do not arise from the same incident. This includes failure to submit to substance abuse testing. DDD. The Director may remove a restriction upon written request of the Warden, subject to the following: LOST VISITS FOR FOUR YEARS……FIRST SPECIAL VISIT 3/2015…..WAITING FOR RESTORIED VISITS.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Families: Network with organizations and stakeholders Build bridges in with systems, not walls Do not work alone, collaborate with other families, organizations Organizations and Agencies: Make room at the table for families, collaborate Create resource guides and useful accessible tools for families Teach families how to become their own best advocates Systems: Make room at the table for families, collaborate Create resource guides and useful accessible tools Offer educational trainings and resources for families