It comes as no surprise that there is no actual justice coming out of the criminal justice system, but every once in a while, when I am not pulled in a million directions and have time to stop and think, I consider new facets of harm being perpetuated by the system.
Take for example, the invasiveness of the visiting process.
To see a loved one convicted of a nonviolent crime, I will willingly step into a Jackson, Michigan prison. I will have my personal space and rights violated.
I will pull my hair off my neck.
I will open my mouth and lift my tongue.
I will turn my pockets inside out.
I will have a Prison Officer reach up and under my bathing suit area, and up and down my thighs.
I will take off my socks and shoes.
Someone will count my jewelry; my rings, bracelets, and earrings.
And then my children will be next.
After all that, they will account for the glasses on my and my children’s faces. And then they’ll tell us to have a “nice visit” after they have put their hands all over us.
We’ll be allowed a brief hug at the beginning and end of the visit.
And if it’s “double visit” or we dare have the unfortunate need to use the restroom, this will happen to us twice.
Under any other circumstances, this would be sexual harassment or abuse, but because the State of Michigan is carrying it out, it’s ok.
Dignity.
Dignity is the price you pay for humanity. For being an innocent person who supports the people you love and care for. You don’t get a voice. You have to grin and bare it and say thank you for strangers putting their hands all over your and your children’s bodies.
And not a damn person checks Michigan DOC Staff like that and time and time again, they are the source of incoming drugs and contraband.
A History of Misconduct
Corrections officers in Michigan and across the country are rarely subjected to the invasive, degrading searches visitors must endure. In many Michigan facilities, staff aren’t even patted down. They simply unpack their bags and put everything back on. At times, I’ve seen them not have to go through a metal detector at all.
The problem is so prolific, that multiple facilities have failed security audits and falsified records to cover it up.
These aren’t isolated incidents. Prison staff account for a lion’s share of the contraband coming in. It was paninstakingly discussed in a recent Metro Times piece.
Over and over, visitors are an easy scapegoat because we can’t unionize like the Corrections Staff. We can’t file grievances. It’s not just unjust; it’s dangerous.
There may once again be oversight with the return of a corrections ombudsman, thanks to Michigan Citizens for Prison Reform and the passing of SB156.
Visits Save Lives.
The research is clear, and I will shout it from the rooftops until my dying day: family visitation reduces violence, lowers the risk of suicide, and increases the chances of successful reentry.
One longitudinal study from the Minnesota Department of Corrections found that incarcerated people who received regular visits were 13% less likely to reoffend and 25% less likely to violate parole.
Family is the lifeline that keeps people tethered to hope. But instead of supporting that connection, the system punishes it.
What message are we sending when we treat love like contraband?
Fix Your Priorities, Michigan DOC.
If the Michigan Department of Corrections and the Corrections Union truly want safer prisons, healthier families, and stronger communities, they can start by respecting the people who show up; not treating them like suspects.
Instead of creating unnecessary divide, excusing blatant misconduct, and blaming staffing shortages for both their leadership and staff’s shitty behavior, Michigan DOC and the Union both need to start walking the walk.
Clearly, I have very big feelings on the Corrections Unions and their seemingly endless stream nonsense, to include protecting the misconduct and retaliation carried out by their officers at Chippewa Correctional Facility…but that’s another story coming soon.
Stop traumatizing children.
Stop sexually humiliating women.
Start holding your own accountable.
Michigan Lawmakers, Michigan DOC leadership, especially Heidi Washington: go through your own humiliating processes and policies once a month.
Then, please do explain why Michigan DOC needs to put their hands all over already traumatized children; remind me again why you feel it’s necessary.
Because if Michigan DOC Impacted Hostages families have to strip our dignity at the door to visit the people we love, you better be damn sure come correct.
Follow the data; search the people who get paid to be there.
