DETROIT (AP) — Deaf prisoners and other inmates who have trouble hearing have filed a lawsuit against the state of Michigan, accusing officials of failing to meet their communication needs behind bars.
Prisoners say they’re stuck with decades-old technology that makes it impossible to communicate with relatives because few people on the outside still use a telephone that’s attached to a keyboard and screen.
The inmates say they’ve been denied the latest technology, which includes video.
The 50-page lawsuit identifies many other problems, including a lack of interpreters and hearing aids.
The lawsuit was filed this week by the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, a group designated by the state to protect the rights of the disabled.
The Corrections Department declined to comment.
- Posted April 03, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Deaf inmates sue state over lack of services
headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- Protecting Attorney-Client Relationships: ABA advocacy helps safeguard the right to effective assistance of counsel
- Did ‘corporate speak’ and PowerPoint lead to complacency at GM?
- Ex-employee sues Sheppard Mullin over cyberattack exposing sensitive personal data
- Ropes & Gray allows more attorneys to count AI testing toward billable hours
- Plaintiff who filed fraudulent case, trashed desktop computer hit with sanctions
- Man who threatened Supreme Court justices avoids prison time
