The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division filed this lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) on June 13, 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The action proceeded under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000 et. seq., alleging policies and practices that discriminated on the basis of sex.

In 2009, MDOC allocated certain officer positions in its female correctional facilities as female-only assignments, such as Food Service Officer, Yard Control Officer, Property Room Officer, and Electronic Monitor Officer. MDOC instituted a freeze on all transfers out of female correctional facilities. MDOC denied female officers' transfer requests, while allowing male officers to move between facilities.

In the complaint and the amended complaint, filed July 27, 2016, the DOJ alleged that MDOC policies denied female employees the opportunities provided to men and were required to work overtime at the expense of their health. DOJ sought monetary damages and an order to enjoin the defendants from further discrimination in job assignments based on sex and in the grant of transfer requests. The complaint also sought to compel the state to develop and implement appropriate and effective measures to prevent discrimination, such as policies, procedures and training for employees.

As of March 23, 2018, the parties are still undergoing discovery; per Judge Paul D. Borman, discovery is due by August 9, 2018.

Susie Choi - 02/02/2017
Lisa Limb - 04/10/2018


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