Alumni in Michigan

Inside-Out in Michigan has grown enormously in the past several years, and is one of the most vibrant centers for Inside-Out leadership in the country.  They have formed an ongoing "Theory Group," which mirrors the Think Tank at Graterford Prison in Pennsylvania.  The Theory Group will host the first National Instructor Training held outside of Philadelphia.  

The Inside-Out Theory Group at Ryan Correctional Facility is an extension of the Inside-Out class.  The “inside students” wanted to persist in exploring intellectual possibilities.  In the Theory Group, they continue to read books, write papers, and discuss their views and analyses in a dialectical setting. 

They write: "The Inside Out Prison Exchange has changed the lives of all the students (and their instructors) who have participated.  Higher education is the catalyst that brought us together.  We want to share this amazing experience with our peers, inside and out.  Research indicates that most people in prison who obtain even partial higher education experiences have an increased chance of success on the outside."

Events hosted so far in Michigan include: 

A day-long conference inside the prison on April 23, 2010.  Entitled "Confined Minds: Incarceration-Education-Transformation,."  The conference hosted over 70 Department of Corrections personnel, legislators, criminal justice instructors, and community leaders for discussion panels on the effects of higher education on the institution, on the community outside, and on recidivism rates. Patricia Caruso, Director of MDOC, was the morning keynote speaker and U.S. Representative John Conyers was the afternoon keynote speaker.

A Restorative Justice Workshop, Feb 25, 2011 for a committee of the Detroit City Council considering 'returning citizen' initiatives.  This event was attended by over 60 community leaders, RJ experts, legislators, and MDOC personnel.