Michigan
FAMM supports Michigan Senate passage of bill improving prison ombudsman process
For Media Inquiries:John Norton, 202-999-4268jnorton@famm.org
FAMM supports Michigan Senate passage of bill improving prison ombudsman process
LANSING – FAMM’s Director of State Policy Maria Goellner thanked the Michigan Senate for passing a bill reforming how the office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman in Michigan operates and urged the Michigan House to also pass the bill.
“Transparency and accountability are hallmarks of any effective government body, which is why Michigan deserves credit for having a Legislative Corrections Ombudsman,” said Goellner. “Yet, the Michigan Senate recognized that narrowly limiting who can file complaints undermines those goals. This bill addresses those shortcomings and includes other reforms that will make the state’s prisons safer for incarcerated people and correctional staff.”
The bill was introduced by Senator Sylvia Santana. It would enable family members and advocates, to file formal complaints with the ombudsperson, require the ombudsperson to establish standardized forms, and create reporting requirements, among other changes. Goellner testified in support of the bill at a Michigan Senate Oversight Committee hearing last month. FAMM joins Michigan Citizens for Prison Reform in urging the Michigan House to take up and pass this commonsense prison reform bill as soon as possible.For more than three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM has led the fight to reform extreme mandatory sentencing laws and to promote rehabilitation and dignity for all people in prison, 94 percent of whom will return to our neighborhoods one day.
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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safely reduce incarceration, save taxpayer dollars, and keep families together. Founded in 1991, FAMM has secured bold sentencing and prison reform across the country while elevating the voices of directly impacted individuals and families.
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