[Michigan] John Doe v. Michigan Department of Corrections – U.S. Statement of Interest

On March 20, 2014, the DOJ filed a Statement of Interest in a federal conditions lawsuit on behalf young people under the age of 18 confined in the Michigan Department of Corrections, alleging violations of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The DOJ emphasizes that “[s]tate correctional facilities. . . are subject to both the Constitution and PREA standards to protect prisoners from harm, including sexual abuse.” The DOJ also went on to highlight that “[c]ompliance with the PREA standards does not equal compliance with the Constitution . . . Sight and sound separation may be just one necessary piece in the larger puzzle of deciding how to keep youthful offenders safe when incarcerated in adult facilities.”