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'Punk Prison' May Close in Michigan

By Jeralyn, Section Juvenile Offenders
Posted on Mon May 23, 2005 at 08:54:49 AM EST
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The Detroit Free Press has a report on abuse at a privately owned juvenile prison. The Governor is trying to close the facility.

Since its opening in 1999, though, parents of inmates have alleged physical, sexual and mental abuse at the Michigan Youth Correctional Facility in Baldwin. A watchdog agency has accused the Florida-based GEO Group Inc., which owns and operates the prison, of neglecting inmates' health, education and rehabilitation. One sign of trouble, critics say, is the high number of suicide attempts from last October through March.

Now, Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants to yank the state's $18.8-million contract with GEO Group to help trim a projected deficit that could top $770 million. The inmates -- many of whom are from metro Detroit -- would be shipped to adult prisons by Oct. 1.

There has to be a better solution. Juveniles should not be housed with adults. Period.

In one study, youth incarcerated in adult prisons were five times more likely to report being sexually abused than young people housed in facilities for juveniles. Another study concluded that juveniles housed in adult jails were nearly 8 times more likely to commit suicide than those in juvenile facilities.

< Guards Assaulting Female Inmates in Michigan | Supreme Court Says No to Shackling Defendants at Trial >

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    • 'Punk Prison' May Close in Michigan | 2 comments (2 topical)
    Re: 'Punk Prison' May Close in Michigan (none / 0) (#1)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:55:41 PM EST
    Nah, that would ruin the prison industrial complex's Life Destruction Quota.

    Re: 'Punk Prison' May Close in Michigan (none / 0) (#2)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:55:42 PM EST
    Scar: You are correct. Now just throw em in with the adult criminals. At least that would teach to prison industrial complex a lesson.

    'Punk Prison' May Close in Michigan | 2 comments (2 topical)