Shameful treatment of incarcerated women? Here we go again!

We have long deplored the manner in which the Michigan Department of Corrections treats women. Some 2,000 women reside in our state’s only prison for women, located in Ypsilanti. When a plumber employed by the state dared to speak his piece after witnessing the sad treatment of women while he was working at WHV, we put that message out to the public. When a group of whistleblowers among the women dared to sneak abuse messages to HFP, we did something about it. The ACLU jumped in, and a federal investigation was started! 

It's no secret that incarcerated women in Michigan face a number of challenges, including trauma, sexual assault, and inadequate health care. 

Now it’s time to raise hell once again! 

Claiming that this is unlawful, our friends at the American Friends Service Committee bring a deeply disturbing practice to our attention: The MDOC is recording strip searches at Women’s Huron Valley Facility, a blatant breach of dignity and privacy. 

Here’s how one of our clients describes it: “We have a policy that states we cannot be video taped while in a state of undress. That is why we do not have video cameras in our shower area, or cells, or strip search areas. However, now the staff have been instructed to leave their body cams on while we are strip searched. We are now being video taped taking off our clothes, lifting our breasts and being forced to bend over in front of the camera so they can view our vaginal area. Women are refusing to visit their families because of the taping. We have no idea who will be viewing us in a state of undress, in compromising positions. We have a male warden and male inspectors. Please help us!” 

This tightening of strip search policies is coming about, we’re told, mainly because of a serious drug problem. Some prisoners have found ways to hide contraband when returning to their cells from a visit. 

But here’s the deal. The MDOC already has electronic body scanners in every prison—highly sensitive devices capable of detecting contraband without the need for a humiliating and traumatizing strip search. 

The AFSC contends that this practice is a clear violation of Michigan law (MCL 750.539j), which makes it a felony to record individuals in a state of undress without consent. I’m no lawyer and cannot address this issue from a legal standpoint. But, as a representative of Humanity for Prisoners, I can and do raise the issue from a humanitarian standpoint. 

As you can well imagine, strip searches create serious risks of further traumatization. For example, just think how these practices might affect survivors of sexual violence. 

As a friend of many of these women, and as an advocate for all of them, I want you to know that your support for a protest is important! The AFSC and other advocacy agencies are demanding that the cameras be turned off during strip searches. We share this urgent call to action and encourage you to join us. It's time for Michigan to take immediate steps to end this abusive practice!

                          “Respect for women is respect for humanity.” – Unknown

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