Prisoner Rights
The ACLU of Michigan continues to fight unconstitutional conditions in our local prisons and jails and the "lock 'em up" mentality that prevails in the legislatures. Our guiding principle is that even though prisoners are deprived of liberty they are still entitled to basic human rights.
ACLU Lawsuit Challenges Life Without Parole For Michigan Juveniles
Locking Up Children Without Possibility For Release Is Unconstitutional, Says ACLU
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2010
DETROIT, MI – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Michigan today filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine Michigan citizens who were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes committed when they were minors. The lawsuit charges that a Michigan sentencing scheme that denies the now-adult plaintiffs an opportunity for parole and a fair hearing to demonstrate their growth, maturity and rehabilitation constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and violates their constitutional rights.
ACLU Report Hails Michigan As Model For Reducing Prison Populations
Lowering Incarceration Rates Makes Fiscal Sense Without Jeopardizing Public Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 18, 2009
WASHINGTON – Michigan’s successful efforts to reduce its statewide prison population by more than eight percent during the past two years while at the same time improving public safety provides a model for other states seeking smarter, more affordable criminal justice policies, according to a report released today by the American Civil Liberties Union.
> Full Story
Jury Forces Saginaw County Jail to Pay $145,000 in Prison Abuse Case
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2008
DETROIT – A federal jury today found the Saginaw County Jail responsible for the egregious and unconstitutional treatment of detainees and awarded 4 plaintiffs $145,000 in damages. The lawsuit challenged policies that allowed prison personnel to strip detainees and place them naked in a cell referred to as "the hole." In 2005, the ACLU of Michigan joined the case, which was originally filed in 2001.
> Full StoryState Amendment Stripping Prisoners of Civil Rights Unconstitutional
ACLU of Michigan encouraged by decision and urges legislators to act quickly
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2007
Detroit -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan lauded a federal judge’s ruling striking down a 2000 amendment to the state civil rights law that stripped prisoners from protection against sex, race and religious discrimination. The ACLU of Michigan is now urging the state legislature to quickly take action to remedy years of discrimination and abuse in the state’s prison system.
> Full StoryMichigan Judge Threatens $2 Million Fine for Inadequate Prison Health Care
Court Holds Prison Officials in Contempt for "Callous" and "Dysfunctional" Medical Services and Calls for an Independent Monitor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2006
KALAMAZOO, MI- The American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project and two Ann Arbor civil rights attorneys, Patricia Streeter and Michael Barnhart, today lauded a ruling by a Michigan judge calling for improvements to deficient prison health care.
Hepatitus in Michigan Prisons
Raphael M. Goldman looks at the Hepatitis C problem is Michigan prisons. > Full StoryState Prisons Fail to Stop Spread of Hepatitis C Epidemic
ACLU Files Lawsuit Against Prison Officials
January 21, 2003 - Press Release
In a lawsuit that may impact thousands of Michigan citizens, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is charging that Michigan prison officials and the Department of Corrections are allowing an infectious disease to reach epidemic proportions by failing to adequately test and treat inmates with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The class action lawsuit was filed today in federal district court.
> Full StoryACLU Hails Prisoner Rights Decision-Sixth Circuit Lambastes Michigan Department
April 10, 2002 - Press Release
Detroit – In a searing opinion today, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court ruling that restrictions on prison visitation imposed in 1995 violated prisoners’ rights on several grounds, including freedom to associate, cruel and unusual punishment and due process of the law. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, who filed an amicus brief in the lawsuit, hailed the Court of Appeals decision as justice at its best.
> Full StoryHigh Court Ruling Could Free Hundreds of Michigan Prisoners
May 22, 2002 - Press Release
DETROIT -- Today the ACLU of Michigan, in a letter to district court judges across the state, requested that steps be taken to free prisoners who were either convicted on or who pled guilty to misdemeanor charges and not afforded or waived right to counsel prior to the sentencing.
> Full StoryJudge Orders Prison Staff to Stop Reading Mail Between Prisoners and Lawyers
April 30, 2002 - Press Release
DETROIT – The Michigan Department of Corrections will institute a new policy tomorrow banning prison staff from reading or skimming privileged prisoner legal mail, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the ACLU National Prison Project.
> Full StoryACLU Hails Prisoner Rights Decision
April 10, 2002 - Press Release
Sixth Circuit Lambastes Michigan Department of Corrections
Detroit – In a searing opinion today, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court ruling that restrictions on prison visitation imposed in 1995 violated prisoners’ rights on several grounds, including freedom to associate, cruel and unusual punishment and due process of the law. > Full Story
