MI- Ex-inmates awarded $8.45 million in rape, sexual harassment cases

Assuming they have identified the perpetrators I would hope they are being prosecuted and will appear on the sex offender's registry!

11-13-2008 Michigan:

A Washtenaw County jury awarded eight former female prisoners $8.45 million in damages for rapes and sexual harassment in the 1990s by guards at Crane Correctional Facility in Coldwater.

It was the second multimillion-dollar verdict against the Michigan Department of Corrections, involving a massive civil case alleging widespread abuse in Michigan prisons.

More than 500 female prisoners claim they were sexually abused by prison guards at Michigan prisons in the 1990s. The cases are being heard in small batches in front of Washtenaw Circuit Judge Timothy Connors.

In February, a jury awarded 10 current and former prisoners $15.4 million in damages for sexual abuse by corrections officers at Scott Correctional Facility in Plymouth.

"I wish the state would listen to its citizens," said Deborah LaBelle, the lead attorney for the case. "What they have said, loudly and clearly, is these women have been deeply damaged by the hands of the state."

A third trial is expected to be held in 2009. It is expected to include 10 female prisoners who claim they were abused at Western Wayne Correctional Facility, which closed in 2004.

The verdict from the first trial is being appealed.

"We are confident that will be reversed," said Russ Marlan, a corrections spokesman.

Marlan said he wanted to reserve comment on the second verdict until he had a chance to speak to the Office of the Attorney General. ..News Source.. by FREE PRESS STAFF