July 16, 2009


Survivors Vindicated After 13 Year Legal Struggle in Michigan


Dear Friends,

Just Detention International (JDI) applauds the decision by the Michigan Department of Corrections to settle a class action lawsuit brought by more than 500 female prisoners who were sexually assaulted in Michigan prisons. The case has been going on for more than 10 years -- with the state previously refusing to take responsibility for the rampant abuse in its facilities, even after losing two related trials. The state will pay a total of $100 million to the women victimized in Michigan's prisons.
 
Settling this case is a positive first step, but not enough to address and prevent the sexual violence that continues to plague Michigan corrections facilities. With support from the Arcus Foundation, JDI is working with the Wayne County, Michigan, jail to provide training, review policy, and create strong partnerships with local rape crisis centers. JDI hopes that today's settlement encourages the state prison system, as well as other county jails in Michigan, to follow Wayne County's example and work to end sexual abuse of those in their custody.

You can read more about the case at the Detroit Free Press.
 
For more information, please contact Melissa Rothstein at 202.580.6971 or mrothstein@justdetention.org .

 
Just Detention International (JDI) is a human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention. JDI has three core goals for its work: to ensure government accountability for prisoner rape; to transform ill-informed public attitudes about sexual violence in detention; and to promote access to resources for those who have survived this form of abuse.