May 02, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 2, 2025
Muskegon, MI – The Michigan Department of Corrections, in partnership with community organizations, held Reentry United – an event to prepare incarcerated individuals for reentry. The event was held at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon Michigan on April 29.
The event brings members of the State Parole Board, previously incarcerated individuals, MDOC reentry and education staff, parole offices, community partner organizations, and state agencies to speak to and answer questions from individuals preparing for reentry into communities around the state.
“Reentry United gives proof to those preparing for reentry that the department is committed to their success,” MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington said. “By bringing together our staff, partner organizations, and formerly incarcerated people who have been successful in their reentry, we can give attendees tools and encourage them to make the choice to become productive members of the communities they will parole into.”
Providing connections and motivating people preparing to parole is an important piece of the Michigan Department of Corrections’ work to reduce recidivism. The return to prison rate for those paroled continues to decline in large part because of events like Reentry United and other evidence-based programs, training, vocation, and reentry efforts.
Reentry United efforts began as a conference at Grand Valley State University that brought together community reentry stakeholders in 2022. Through community problem solving at these annual conferences, Reentry United events began being held in prisons across the state in 2024. The event held this week in Muskegon was the 12th such event. In total, Reentry United has reached 1,070 individuals who are preparing to parole to date.
Angie Sprank, MDOC Offender Success Reentry Coordinator in West Michigan, was a driving force for creating Reentry United, alongside Nate Johnson, a formally incarcerated individual who found new purpose in helping others navigate the challenges of reentry.
“The mission of Reentry United is to break the cycle of incarceration,” Sprank said. “By uniting the experientials with the professionals, we remove all barriers individuals returning home from incarceration face. Creating an environment that reduces recidivism, resulting in safe successful communities.”
Reentry United currently has eight more events planned at facilities across the state. They will have their annual conference at Grand Valley State University on August 15.
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