Our friends at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) have brought this deeply disturbing and unlawful violation to our attention: MDOC is recording strip searches, a blatant breach of dignity, privacy, and the law.
We are sharing their urgent call to action below and urge you to join us in taking immediate steps to help end this abusive practice.
Corrections officers in Michigan are conducting strip searches of incarcerated women while wearing active body cameras. This practice is a clear violation of Michigan law (MCL 750.539j), which makes it a felony to record individuals in a state of undress without consent. Despite this, MDOC Director Heidi Washington, Deputy Director Jeremy Bush, and Warden Jeremy Howard continue to justify this blatant invasion of privacy.
After raising these concerns with MDOC leadership, including Warden Jeremy Howard and Deputy Director Jeremy Bush, we received a response attempting to downplay the issue. MDOC claims that cameras remain in “passive mode” during strip searches, meaning the video is only retained under certain conditions. However, this does not change the fact that the cameras are actively recording while individuals are naked, violating their rights and traumatizing survivors of sexual violence.
We Must Hold Governor Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel Accountable!
Call or Email Today!
| Governor Gretchen Whitmer |
| Phone: (517) 335-7858 Email: governorsoffice@michigan.gov Online Contact Form: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/contact |
| Attorney General Dana Nessel |
| Phone: (517) 335-7622 Email: miag@michigan.gov Online Contact Form: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/complaints |
What To Say:
| Subject: Stop MDOC from Recording Strip Searches—End Strip Searches EntirelyDear [Governor Whitmer/Attorney General Nessel],I am outraged that the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) is allowing corrections officers to wear active body cameras during strip searches of incarcerated women. This is a direct violation of Michigan law (MCL 750.539j) and an assault on privacy, dignity, and bodily autonomy. MDOC has stated that they modeled Michigan’s body-worn camera program after the state of Ohio’s, yet they intentionally removed Ohio’s explicit prohibition on recording individuals in a state of undress. This was a deliberate decision, not an oversight. MDOC is now defending this inhumane practice under the false justification of PREA. This has already forced survivors of sexual violence to resign from their work assignments due to the trauma of being recorded while naked. Furthermore, why is MDOC continuing strip searches at all when body scanners—which are more effective and less intrusive—are already available in every prison? You have spoken extensively about protecting women, defending bodily autonomy, and standing up for survivors. I urge you to take immediate action to:Immediately stop MDOC from recording strip searches.End the practice of strip searches entirely and require MDOC to use body scanners instead. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your City, MI] |
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