MI HB6397

Ombudsman may initiate investigations based on prisoner complaints, legislator requests, or own initiative regarding administrative acts contrary to law or policy, including significant prisoner health and safety issues where no effective administrative remedy exists.

Ombudsman granted unrestricted access to all department records including medical, mental health, and mortality records, and may interview department employees and private contractor staff without requiring releases.

Ombudsman staff must be granted entry to correctional facilities during emergency situations including disturbances, riots, and hostage incidents for observation and reporting purposes.

Correspondence between ombudsman and prisoners is confidential and privileged; ombudsman records and information are exempt from Freedom of Information Act disclosure and court subpoena unless information comes from other sources.

Prisoners cannot be penalized for filing complaints or cooperating with ombudsman investigations, and department employees are protected from disciplinary action for communicating with the ombudsman.