Case: Salem v. Michigan Department of Corrections

2:13-cv-14567 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: Nov. 1, 2013

Closed Date: Oct. 18, 2019

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On November 1, 2013, female inmates housed at the all-women Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, sued the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) over its strip-search policies. Beginning in 2009, MDOC required each prisoner at Huron Valley to sit on a chair and spread her labia to allow female corrections officers to check her vaginal cavity for contraband after returning from off-site visits and after meeting with anyone during direct-contact visits. The plai…

On November 1, 2013, female inmates housed at the all-women Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, sued the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) over its strip-search policies. Beginning in 2009, MDOC required each prisoner at Huron Valley to sit on a chair and spread her labia to allow female corrections officers to check her vaginal cavity for contraband after returning from off-site visits and after meeting with anyone during direct-contact visits. The plaintiffs alleged that the chairs were improperly sanitized, and that prisoners weren’t able to properly sanitize their hands before touching their genitals, exposing them to a heightened risk of contracting diseases through contact with the bodily fluids of other prisoners. They further alleged that the searches were carried out in view of other prisoners and male corrections officials. The plaintiffs brought suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan under 42 U.S.C. §1983. They argued that by requiring strip searches in unsanitary conditions and in view of other prisoners and male corrections officials, MDOC was deliberately indifferent to the health, safety, privacy and bodily integrity of inmates, in violation of the Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiffs asked the court for class certification to represent other prisoners who are, were, or will be confined at Huron Valley and who have been or may be subjected to spread-labia search. They further asked the court to: declare the spread-labia search technique unconstitutional; issue a permanent injunction requiring Huron Valley correctional staff to stop performing such searches; issue an injunction requiring Huron Valley to provide medical and mental health care to address ongoing harm being suffered by the plaintiffs, including mental anguish, trauma, and infections caused by the unsanitary conditions; award damages to the plaintiffs for harm suffered, including punitive damages where appropriate; and to award the plaintiffs reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. The case was assigned to Judge Paul D. Borman.

On May 1, 2015, the court granted in part and denied in part MDOC’s motion to dismiss, ruling that the plaintiffs’ claim for monetary damages was barred by the Eleventh Amendment. It also found that, because the warden had taken reasonable steps to avert the risks associated with the spread-labia search procedure (conducting an inquiry, taking action to make it more sanitary, and eventually ending it as a routine procedure in 2011), correctional staff had not violated the Eighth Amendment.

However, the court found that if the spread-labia searches were carried out under unsanitary conditions with other prisoners and male corrections officials watching, then the prison may have violated the prisoners’ Fourth Amendment right to privacy. The court further found that because the plaintiffs had also alleged that the spread-labia search was still being carried out, even if it was no longer officially a routine procedure, the plaintiffs could be entitled to prospective injunctive relief prohibiting corrections officials from continuing the practice. This meant that the plaintiffs’ Fourth Amendment claim was sufficiently strong to survive MDOC’s motion to dismiss. On March 9, 2016, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the court’s denial of qualified immunity to the prison’s warden, and dismissed MDOC’s appeal of the district court’s order denying the motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ claims for prospective injunctive relief. 643 Fed. App’x 526.

The plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification on August 11, 2016, but the definition of their proposed class changed multiple times throughout the proceedings. In an effort to ensure the class was ascertainable, the plaintiffs proposed in their reply brief the following class definition: “current and former women incarcerated at WHVCF since 2010 who were eligible for offsite trips and contact visits and were thus, pursuant to the practice of WHVCF subject to the ‘chair portion’ of Defendants’ strip searches.” During oral argument, the plaintiffs proposed two subclasses: (1) women who were currently or had formerly been incarcerated at the relevant facility and were subject to the chair portion of the strip search in view of other people sometime between November 1, 2010 and November 1, 2013; (2) women who were currently or had formerly been incarcerated at the relevant facility and were subject to the chair portion of the strip search under unsanitary or unhygienic conditions between November 1, 2010 and December 16, 2011. The plaintiffs asserted that individuals in both subclasses had suffered compensable injuries.

In its decision on December 22, 2016, the court rejected the motion for certification as to both proposed subclasses. As to the unsanitary conditions subclass, the court denied certification because the Sixth Circuit had affirmed that MDOC was protected by qualified immunity. As to the subclass of inmates subjected to search in public, the court found that the class was ascertainable, but did not meet the adequacy of representation, numerosity, and typicality requirements for class certification. 2016 WL 7409953.

The parties were referred to Magistrate Judge Steven Whalen for a settlement conference on July 19, 2017. The court denied motions for summary judgment from both parties on August 24, 2018. On September 16, 2019, the court again denied class certification, and scheduled a bench trial (named plaintiffs only) for November 6, 2019.

On October 17, 2019 the plaintiffs, without explanation, dismissed their claims. The court closed the case on October 18, 2019.

Summary Authors

Ryan Berry (8/5/2016)

Mackenzie Walz (10/3/2018)

Eva Richardson (5/27/2019)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5404511/parties/salem-v-michigan-department-of-corrections/


Judge(s)

Borman, Paul D. (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Gorman, Teresa J. (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Barkman, Cori E. (Michigan)

Dean, Michael R. (Michigan)

Govorchin, A. Peter (Michigan)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:13-cv-14567

Docket [PACER]

Oct. 18, 2019

Oct. 18, 2019

Docket
1

2:13-cv-14567

Complaint

Nov. 1, 2013

Nov. 1, 2013

Complaint
21

2:13-cv-14567

Opinion and Order [regarding motion to dismiss]

May 1, 2015

May 1, 2015

Order/Opinion
56

2:13-cv-14567

Opinion and Order Denying Plaintiff's Motion for Class Certification Without Prejudice

Dec. 22, 2016

Dec. 22, 2016

Order/Opinion
90

2:13-cv-14567

Opinion and Order Denying Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment and Qualified Immunity, and Denying Plaintiffs' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

Aug. 24, 2018

Aug. 24, 2018

Order/Opinion
101

2:13-cv-14567

Opinion and Order (1) Denying Plaintiffs' Motion to Certify Class, (2) Denying Plaintiffs’ Motion for Leave of Court to File Additional Affidavits and (3) Setting a Bench Trial on Exhaustion of the Two Named Plaintiffs' Claims for November 6, 2019

Sept. 16, 2019

Sept. 16, 2019

Order/Opinion

2019 WL 2019

106

2:13-cv-14567

Order of Court

Oct. 18, 2019

Oct. 18, 2019

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5404511/salem-v-michigan-department-of-corrections/

Last updated Feb. 13, 2024, 3:08 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint

Nov. 1, 2013

Nov. 1, 2013

PACER
2

Summons Issued

Nov. 4, 2013

Nov. 4, 2013

PACER
3

Certificate of Service/Summons Returned Executed

Nov. 18, 2013

Nov. 18, 2013

PACER
4

Attorney Appearance

Nov. 20, 2013

Nov. 20, 2013

PACER
5

Attorney Appearance

Nov. 21, 2013

Nov. 21, 2013

PACER
6

Order to Extend Time to (Free)

Nov. 27, 2013

Nov. 27, 2013

PACER
7

Certificate of Service/Summons Returned Executed

Dec. 16, 2013

Dec. 16, 2013

PACER
8

Attorney Appearance

Jan. 21, 2014

Jan. 21, 2014

PACER
9

Attorney Appearance

Jan. 21, 2014

Jan. 21, 2014

PACER
10

Attorney Appearance

Jan. 21, 2014

Jan. 21, 2014

PACER
11

Motion to Dismiss

1 Index of Exhibits

View on PACER

2 Exhibit A

View on PACER

3 Exhibit B

View on PACER

Jan. 21, 2014

Jan. 21, 2014

PACER
12

Notice of Appearance

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

PACER
13

Protective Order

Feb. 6, 2014

Feb. 6, 2014

PACER
14

Exhibit

Feb. 7, 2014

Feb. 7, 2014

PACER
15

Order to Extend Time to (Free)

Feb. 12, 2014

Feb. 12, 2014

PACER
16

Notice of Hearing on Motion

Feb. 13, 2014

Feb. 13, 2014

PACER
17

Response to Motion

1 Index of Exhibits Index of Exhibits

View on PACER

2 Exhibit Exhibit 1 - Memorandum

View on PACER

3 Exhibit Exhibit 2 - Notice to Staff

View on PACER

4 Exhibit Exhibit 3 - 2012 Policy

View on PACER

5 Exhibit Exhibit 4 - Affidavits

View on PACER

6 Document Continuation Appendix - Inmates for Whom Plaintiffs have Copies of File

View on PACER

March 11, 2014

March 11, 2014

PACER
18

Reply to Response to Motion

1 Index of Exhibits

View on PACER

2 Exhibit A

View on PACER

March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014

PACER
19

Affidavit

March 28, 2014

March 28, 2014

PACER
20

Notice of Hearing on Motion

April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

PACER

Set Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

June 19, 2014

June 19, 2014

PACER

Motion Hearing

June 26, 2014

June 26, 2014

PACER
21

OPINION AND ORDER granting in part and denying in part 11 Motion to Dismiss. Signed by District Judge Paul D. Borman. (DTof)

May 1, 2015

May 1, 2015

RECAP
22

Order to Extend Time to (Free)

May 19, 2015

May 19, 2015

PACER
23

Notice of Appeal

May 21, 2015

May 21, 2015

PACER
24

Certificate of Service of Notice of Appeal - 6th Circuit

May 21, 2015

May 21, 2015

PACER

Appeal Fee Received

May 28, 2015

May 28, 2015

PACER
25

Order Staying Case

June 2, 2015

June 2, 2015

PACER
26

Notice of Cross Appeal

June 11, 2015

June 11, 2015

PACER

Court Reporter Acknowledgment of Transcript Order Form

June 12, 2015

June 12, 2015

PACER
27

Certificate of Service of Notice of Appeal - 6th Circuit

June 12, 2015

June 12, 2015

PACER
28

Transcript

June 12, 2015

June 12, 2015

PACER
29

Motion for Withdrawal of Attorney

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
30

Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney

July 14, 2015

July 14, 2015

PACER
31

Appeal Order/Opinion/Judgment

Sept. 8, 2015

Sept. 8, 2015

PACER

Certificate of Service

Nov. 23, 2015

Nov. 23, 2015

PACER
32

Appeal Order/Opinion/Judgment

March 9, 2016

March 9, 2016

PACER
33

Appeal Mandate

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2016

PACER
34

Motion to Compel

1 Exhibit 1 - Subpoena and Green Card for Fred Abcumby

View on PACER

April 14, 2016

April 14, 2016

PACER
35

Notice to Withdraw Motion

April 15, 2016

April 15, 2016

PACER
36

Notice to Appear

April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016

PACER

Set Deadlines/Hearings

May 25, 2016

May 25, 2016

PACER

Text-Only Notice of Hearing Cancelled

June 6, 2016

June 6, 2016

PACER
37

Discovery Plan - Rule 26f

June 6, 2016

June 6, 2016

PACER
38

Scheduling Order

June 7, 2016

June 7, 2016

PACER
39

Answer to Complaint

June 29, 2016

June 29, 2016

PACER
40

Stipulation and Order

June 30, 2016

June 30, 2016

PACER
41

Order

July 20, 2016

July 20, 2016

PACER
43

Order to Strike

Aug. 9, 2016

Aug. 9, 2016

PACER
44

Motion to Certify Class

Aug. 11, 2016

Aug. 11, 2016

PACER
45

Notice of Hearing on Motion

Aug. 11, 2016

Aug. 11, 2016

PACER
46

Stipulation and Order

Aug. 22, 2016

Aug. 22, 2016

PACER
47

Order to Extend Time to (Free)

Aug. 31, 2016

Aug. 31, 2016

PACER
48

Witness List

Sept. 1, 2016

Sept. 1, 2016

PACER
49

Witness List

Sept. 1, 2016

Sept. 1, 2016

PACER
50

Response to Motion

1 Exhibit A - Policy Directive 03.02.130

View on PACER

Sept. 15, 2016

Sept. 15, 2016

PACER
51

Reply to Response to Motion

Sept. 29, 2016

Sept. 29, 2016

PACER
52

Order

Oct. 24, 2016

Oct. 24, 2016

PACER
53

Sur-Reply

Nov. 1, 2016

Nov. 1, 2016

PACER
54

Stipulation

Nov. 28, 2016

Nov. 28, 2016

PACER
55

Order

Nov. 30, 2016

Nov. 30, 2016

PACER
56

OPINION AND ORDER denying 44 Motion to Certify Class. Signed by District Judge Paul D. Borman. (DTof)

Dec. 22, 2016

Dec. 22, 2016

RECAP
57

Stipulation and Order

Feb. 9, 2017

Feb. 9, 2017

PACER
58

Stipulation and Order

April 6, 2017

April 6, 2017

PACER
59

Stipulation and Order

June 14, 2017

June 14, 2017

PACER
60

Order Referring Other Matters to Magistrate Judge

July 19, 2017

July 19, 2017

PACER
61

Notice to Appear

July 19, 2017

July 19, 2017

PACER

Settlement Conference

Oct. 17, 2017

Oct. 17, 2017

PACER
62

Order

Nov. 13, 2017

Nov. 13, 2017

PACER
63

Motion for Summary Judgment

1 Index of Exhibits

View on PACER

2 Exhibit A - Excerpts of Millicent Warren's Deposition

View on PACER

3 Exhibit B - Affidavit of Millicent Warren

View on PACER

Dec. 15, 2017

Dec. 15, 2017

PACER
64

Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

1 Index of Exhibits

View on PACER

2 Exhibit 1

View on PACER

3 Exhibit 2

View on PACER

Dec. 15, 2017

Dec. 15, 2017

PACER
65

Motion for Summary Judgment

1 Index of Exhibits

View on PACER

2 Exhibit A - Millicent Warren's Deposition

View on PACER

3 Exhibit B - Affidavit of Millicent Warren

View on PACER

Dec. 15, 2017

Dec. 15, 2017

PACER
66

Motion to Certify Class

1 Index of Exhibits

View on PACER

2 Exhibit 1

View on PACER

3 Exhibit 2

View on PACER

4 Exhibit 3

View on PACER

5 Exhibit 4

View on PACER

6 Exhibit 5

View on PACER

7 Exhibit 6

View on PACER

Dec. 15, 2017

Dec. 15, 2017

PACER
67

Response to Motion

1 Exhibit 1 - Deposition Transcript of Millicent Warren

View on PACER

2 Document Continuation Exhibits to Dep

View on PACER

Jan. 5, 2018

Jan. 5, 2018

PACER
68

Order

Jan. 8, 2018

Jan. 8, 2018

PACER
69

Notice of Hearing on Motion

Jan. 16, 2018

Jan. 16, 2018

PACER
70

Response to Motion

Jan. 26, 2018

Jan. 26, 2018

PACER
71

Response to Motion

Jan. 26, 2018

Jan. 26, 2018

PACER

Set Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

Jan. 29, 2018

Jan. 29, 2018

PACER

Motion Hearing

April 4, 2018

April 4, 2018

PACER

Hearing Not Held/Hearing Cancelled

April 4, 2018

April 4, 2018

PACER
76

Order to Strike

April 4, 2018

April 4, 2018

PACER
77

Order to Strike

April 5, 2018

April 5, 2018

PACER
78

Order

April 5, 2018

April 5, 2018

PACER
81

Stipulation

April 19, 2018

April 19, 2018

PACER
82

Sur-Reply

May 2, 2018

May 2, 2018

PACER
83

Sur-Reply

May 2, 2018

May 2, 2018

PACER
84

Sur-Reply

May 2, 2018

May 2, 2018

PACER
85

Notice to Appear

July 26, 2018

July 26, 2018

PACER

Set Deadlines/Hearings

July 27, 2018

July 27, 2018

PACER

Miscellaneous Hearing

Aug. 1, 2018

Aug. 1, 2018

PACER
86

Order to Strike

Aug. 1, 2018

Aug. 1, 2018

PACER
87

Motion for Order

Aug. 8, 2018

Aug. 8, 2018

PACER
88

Motion for Order

Aug. 8, 2018

Aug. 8, 2018

PACER
89

Order on Motion for Order

Aug. 15, 2018

Aug. 15, 2018

PACER
90

OPINION AND ORDER Denying 64 Plaintiffs' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, and Denying 65 Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by District Judge Paul D. Borman. (SPin) Modified on 8/27/2018 (DTof).

Aug. 24, 2018

Aug. 24, 2018

RECAP
91

Affidavit

Sept. 14, 2018

Sept. 14, 2018

PACER
92

Affidavit

Sept. 14, 2018

Sept. 14, 2018

PACER
93

Affidavit

Sept. 14, 2018

Sept. 14, 2018

PACER
94

Affidavit

Sept. 15, 2018

Sept. 15, 2018

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Michigan

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Strip Search Cases

Post-WalMart decisions on class certification

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 1, 2013

Closing Date: Oct. 18, 2019

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Female prisoners at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Michigan Department of Corrections, State

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Unreasonable search and seizure

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Personal injury

Sanitation / living conditions

Search policies

Strip search policy

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Sex w/ staff; sexual harassment by staff

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Medical/Mental Health:

Hepatitis

HIV/AIDS

Medical care, unspecified

Type of Facility:

Government-run