by Tashiena L. Combs-Holbrook

As a woman serving a life sentence at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, I am urging Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, to support the Second Look Sentencing Act. This bill would allow judges the opportunity to reconsider our sentences after 10 years based on our maturity and demonstrated transformation. It allows us to be accountable through healing in the communities where we both experienced and caused harm.

Throughout my incarceration, I have known some of the most brilliant, kind, and compassionate women, trans, and non-binary people. Unfortunately, many of these women also suffered some of the most extreme forms of victimization prior to earning their sentence, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, environmental violence, and severe neglect. Many of us survived these horrors only to be forced into cycles of perpetual punishment and regret. 

The Second Look Sentencing Act can help break these cycles. I urge our Attorney General to stand with all survivors and support this bill.