State Reps. Karl Bohnak and Jennifer Wortz today announced the Michigan House approved their plan to strengthen transparency and accountability within the Michigan Department of Corrections.

House Bills 5920 and 5921 would strengthen the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, the nonpartisan office responsible for investigating actions of the state corrections department that are alleged to violate law or department policy.

“Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and greater transparency is one of the best tools we have to hold government accountable,” said Bohnak (R-Deerton). “Corrections officers across the U.P. have incredibly difficult jobs, and they deserve safe, well-run workplaces. Strengthening independent oversight will help bring existing problems into the light, ensure accountability, and make our correctional facilities safer for everyone who works and lives inside them.”

The legislation would expand who can file complaints with the ombudsman to include family members, corrections employees and prisoner advocates, while protecting these individuals from being penalized for communicating with the ombudsman or filing a complaint. It would also make the process easier to navigate by creating a standardized complaint form available online and within correctional facilities and requiring confirmation that complaints have been received.

The plan would further strengthen oversight by reducing the advance notice required before the ombudsman visits a correctional facility with an expert from 72 to 48 hours.

“Accountability shouldn’t stop at the prison gates,” said Wortz (R-Quincy). “We’ve heard far too many complaints about dysfunction inside our corrections system, and the people who see these problems firsthand need a way to speak up without fear of retaliation. The ombudsman exists to provide independent oversight of MDOC. If we’re serious about holding government accountable, we need to make sure that oversight has teeth.”