Humanity for Prisoners Wins 2026 Justice Warrior Award for reform efforts, inmate advocacy
Humanity for Prisoners, a Spring Lake-based advocacy group, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Justice Warrior Award by Safe & Just Michigan.
LANSING — Humanity for Prisoners, a Spring Lake-based advocacy group, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Justice Warrior Award by Safe & Just Michigan.
The honor recognizes the organization’s quarter-century of dedicated service to incarcerated individuals and their families.
The Lansing-based criminal justice reform organization announced the selection ahead of an official presentation ceremony scheduled for September.
In a notification to HFP Executive Director Mark Hartman, SJM Executive Director Kate McCracken said the selection committee was unanimous in its decision.
"We overwhelmingly selected HFP as this year’s recipient," McCracken said. "This award is to celebrate an individual and/or organization demonstrating extraordinary work during the course of the year to advance social justice reform in their community and/or Michigan."
Founded 25 years ago by Doug Tjapkes, of Ferrysburg, Humanity for Prisoners holds a unique position in the state's legal and advocacy landscape. It operates as the only agency in Michigan exclusively focused on helping incarcerated men and women navigate personal issues and systemic challenges behind bars.
McCracken emphasized the vital nature of HFP’s daily operations, noting that their impact extends beyond prison walls.
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"HFP’s work to lift up and amplify voices of incarcerated people is so critical," she said. "You also provide important support to friends and families suffering from the impact of incarceration."
The presenting organization, Safe & Just Michigan, champions evidence-based reforms aimed at reducing the harms of both crime and mass incarceration. The group focuses on policy changes that enhance public safety while curbing unnecessary corrections spending.
The Justice Warrior Award will be formally presented to the HFP staff and volunteers during a special SJM event this fall.
— Submitted by Humanity for Prisoners. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
