Women of Michigan's Mass Incarceration

Welcome to the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, Michigan's sole women's prison. We gather information from various sources, including Vice President Tamerra Washington's Facebook page - Misscarrying Justice League WHV - and through direct messages. We strive to update this page as frequently as possible.
If you have a loved one incarcerated in Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility, we invite you to share their pictures , stories, musings and artwork with us. You can do so by emailing them to info@nationallifersofamerica.org or posting them on our Facebook page or by US post addressed to: National Lifers of America, Inc. P.O. Box 18023 River Rouge, MI 48218
Society often avoids acknowledging the existence of women in prison, and when it does, it tends to view them as monsters. However, it is essential to recognize that these women are not monsters; they are often victims themselves, of violence and abuse.
Thank you for visiting this, and we encourage you to explore the stories, experiences, and creative expressions of the women within the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Check back in often to see any updates and new postings.

NLA Local Chapter 1014 -Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility

The History of Local Chapter 1014

MissCarrying Justice League WHV

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MELISSA BELANGER On October 13, 2001, Melissa Belanger made the worst decision of her life. It cost her the rest of her life in prison. Melissa ended up being sentenced to 3 life terms and 8 to 20 years for her role in a crime with her husband. Melissa's worst decision in her life nor the nearly 20-years she has already spent in prison is the focal point of why she is deserving of a second chance, it is what she has overcome in her life that has gotten her to where she is now. Like many women! who's stories we often do not hear, Melissa was strongly influenced and intimidated by her husband who was addicted to drugs and alcohol. While Melissa's troubled story does not start with her husband, her childhood was not one we can call normal. Her first encounter with the criminal justice system came at a young age of 13, when she was charged with her first felony. From this point in her life, Melissa spiraled out of control. Landing her in 14 different foster homes and 2 juvenile facilities. This all occurred by the young age of 15. To top what she had already been through, she became pregnant at the age of 15. Now Melissa was a troubled teenager having a child. Melissa’s troubled youth, unstable home, teenage pregnancy, and drug and alcohol addiction is more than anyone reading this could endure. Melissa felt alone and abandoned by everyone including her parents. This feeling of abandonment at such a young age would lead her to attempting to take her own life. With such abandonment issues, Melissa's need for acceptance and companionship put her right in the hands of abusive men, including her husband. Melissa takes full responsibility of her role in the crime that has put her in prison for life. Melissa has overcome so much in her life that has led her to where she is now. She no longer uses drugs or alcohol. Melissa now has a relationship with her mother. She has become an advocate for other women and sits on the National Lifers of America (NLA) Local Chapter 1014 Legislation and Aiding & Abetting Committee as the vice-chair. Melissa is also currently advocating for herself and other women serving life to be able to participate in GED classes. She often says she wants to take college classes but can't because she can’t earn a GED. Because of what Melissa has endured in her life and has overcome and because of who she has become: in her life, Melissa is deserving of a second chance. EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are interested in getting to know Melissa Belanger and potentially supporting her transformation and second chance, you can contact by writing her at : Melissa Belanger 0491509, Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, 3201 Bemis Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 or by opening a JPay account at www.jpay.com by clicking Michigan and adding Melissa's prison number to your account.