Filed Date: 1997
Clearinghouse coding in progress
On May 27, 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated an investigation into the conditions of confinement at the Crane Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan and the Scott Correctional Facility in Plymouth, Michigan (medium security prisons for women) pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997. The state refused to allow the DOJ access to the prisons to conduct an investigation, and failed to negotiate with the DOJ or resolve the allegations.
On March 27, 1995, the DOJ issued a findings letter regarding the results of the CRIPA investigation, which was conducted solely through inmate interviews during visiting hours, as the DOJ had not been allowed access to the physical facilities. The letter detailed findings of sexual abuse of female inmates by guards (including rapes), lack of adequate medical care, lack of mental health services, grossly deficient sanitation, crowding, and other threats to the physical safety and well-being of inmates in violation of their constitutional rights. On March 10, 1997, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the state of Michigan under 42 U.S.C. § 1997 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, alleging that the aforementioned conditions violated the constitutional rights of female inmates in these facilities.
We have no further information on the proceedings in this case.
Summary Authors
Kristen Sagar (9/8/2006)
Gadola, Paul V. (Michigan)
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)
Davis, Tawana E. (District of Columbia)
Dettmer, Michael Hayes (Michigan)
Edick, David G. (Michigan)
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)
Davis, Tawana E. (District of Columbia)
Masling, Mark S. (District of Columbia)
Nelson, Mellie H. (District of Columbia)
Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)
Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Pinzler, Isabelle Katz (District of Columbia)
State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: 1997
Case Ongoing: Unknown
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Crane Correctional Facility (Plymouth), None
Scott Correctional Facility (Coldwater), None
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Unknown
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Assault/abuse by residents/inmates/students
Sanitation / living conditions
Affected Sex/Gender(s):
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Sex w/ staff; sexual harassment by staff
Strip search policy (facilities)
Medical/Mental Health Care: