Our Story
Safe & Just Michigan (SJM) emerged in 2018 from the dedicated efforts of the Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending (CAPPS), founded in 2000 by Barbara Levine and concerned citizens. CAPPS focused on identifying and reforming laws that contributed to Michigan's rising prison population. Over two decades, CAPPS championed evidence-based research that influenced public safety discussions and challenged the over-reliance on incarceration. With a renewed vision, SJM continues this legacy, advocating for increased public investments in community safety and well-being while reducing unnecessary corrections spending.