This month, Safe & Just Michigan is bringing two powerful events to the state aimed at changing one of the harshest sentencing practices still on the books: juvenile life without parole (JLWOP).
Michigan Wears a Badge of Shame.
We are known as one of the few states that insists on sentencing children to die in prison. But now, the state is now at a critical turning point with the introduction of changes to sentencing and stronger youth initiatives. These special events offer an opportunity to hear directly from people whose lives were forever shaped by this policy.
Why These Events Matter
For decades, children convicted of serious crimes in Michigan were automatically sentenced to spend the rest of their lives behind bars without a chance for release, rehabilitation, or redemption. A landmark Supreme Court ruling opened the door for many of these individuals to come home, but the work to end JLWOP completely is far from over. Michigan remains one of the last states in the country still clinging to this punitive practice.
“Life Beyond Life: Stories of Hope and Healing” is more than a film screening; it’s a call to action. Featuring former juvenile lifers who were once told they would die in prison, the events offer firsthand testimony about resilience, transformation, and why the state must stop sentencing children to die behind bars. Their stories challenge the myths about juvenile crime and highlight the urgent need for policies that prioritize rehabilitation over retribution.
Event Details
Lansing — Thursday, October 16, 2025
- 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
- Cooley Law School, Room 911, 300 S. Capitol Ave.
- Register here
Detroit — Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
- Bernath Auditorium, Adamany Graduate Library, Wayne State University
- Register here
What to Expect
- A screening of Life Beyond Life, a documentary sharing the powerful journeys of people sentenced to JLWOP as children and the movement working to end it.
- A live panel discussion featuring former juvenile lifers including Jose Burgos, Machelle Pearson, Brad Warner, Alexis Smith, Shawn England, and Patrick Kinney, all sharing their stories of survival, hope, and advocacy.
- Resources and guidance on how to get involved in the campaign to abolish juvenile life without parole in Michigan.
Why It’s Time for Change
Sentencing children to life without parole is a practice rooted in outdated and disproven beliefs about youth behavior and rehabilitation.
Neuroscience tells us that adolescent brains are still developing, meaning children have a profound capacity for growth and change. Yet Michigan continues to impose the most severe punishment on youth; a sentence that denies the possibility of redemption and transformation.
The people who will speak at these events are living proof that change is possible. Once condemned to die behind bars, they now advocate for a justice system that sees potential instead of permanence, and humanity instead of hopelessness.
Join the Movement
Whether you are a community member, a student, a policymaker, or simply someone who believes in second chances, Life Beyond Life is a chance to engage with the conversation on justice reform, hear directly from those most impacted, and learn how you can help shape a more just future for Michigan’s youth.
Don’t miss these transformative events, because together, we can make Michigan a state that believes in redemption, not retribution.
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