FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Dawn Fraylick, Communications Director
Office: +1 (586) 469-5737
Cell: +1 (586) 842-4421
Email: Dawn.Fraylick@macombgov.org
October 9, 2024
Macomb County Prosecutor's Office Partners with Michigan Department of Corrections to Expand Access to Conviction Integrity Unit via Email System
Macomb County, MI - The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) asked the MDOC (Michigan Department of Corrections) if it could use the MDOC email system (JPAY) accessed by inmates to explain that Macomb County has a Conviction Integrity Unit, and was accepting applications regarding post-conviction review of cases if certain criteria were met.
The purpose of the JPAY project is to inform inmates in an email that the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office CIU are accepting applications for post conviction review. To apply to the Unit, the inmates must request an application from the county where they were convicted, not be on appeal, and have a claim of innocence that can be supported by new evidence. The CIU will review the application to determine if the criteria is met, and then determine a course of action. The MDOC sent the JPAY email to all inmates on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The CIU's had a willing partner and advocate in the MDOC which was instrumental in getting the JPAY email to all inmates.
"Expanding access to the Conviction Integrity Units through the MDOC’s JPAY system is a critical step in ensuring that every inmate with a valid claim of innocence has the opportunity to be heard. We are making it clear that justice doesn’t stop at conviction. Thank you to the Michigan Department of Corrections for supporting this project. It shows our commitment to reviewing cases thoroughly, ensuring fairness, and correcting any miscarriages of justice where new evidence proves innocence,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
Since its creation in 2022 by Prosecutor Lucido, the CIU has had one exoneration and remains steadfast in its commitment to reviewing claims of innocence, holding the correct perpetrators accountable, and ensuring justice is served for all involved. For more information on the CIU, visit https://www.macombgov.org/CIU.
###