Gongwer News Service
Attorney General Dana Nessel on Monday asked the Legislature to update current law so first and third degree criminal sexual conduct statutes specifically cover sexual penetration by corrections staff.
In a statement, Nessel announced a former corrections officer, Joshua Lee, was arraigned on four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct against a state prisoner. The allegations in the case include acts of sexual penetration, which are not specifically covered in the law for corrections staff, the press release said.
Nessel said the law should be changed to better protect inmates.
“Our laws should match the severity of the crime, and this type of alleged sexual misconduct by corrections staff is a serious violation,” Nessel said in a statement. “Updating these statutes will strengthen protections for inmates and ensure that penalties appropriately match the offense.”
Prosecutors allege that Lee engaged in multiple sexual acts with several prisoners while working at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. The Department of State Police referred the case to the Department of Attorney General.
“I want to thank both the Michigan Department of Corrections and the Michigan State Police for their swift action in investigating these allegations,” Nessel said in a statement. “Everyone deserves protection from sexual abuse, and Michigan has laws in place to keep people safe in our correctional facilities. My office will continue to hold accountable those who seek to use their positions of authority to abuse those under their care.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel on Monday asked the Legislature to update current law so first and third degree criminal sexual conduct statutes specifically cover sexual penetration by corrections staff.
In a statement, Nessel announced a former corrections officer, Joshua Lee, was arraigned on four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct against a state prisoner. The allegations in the case include acts of sexual penetration, which are not specifically covered in the law for corrections staff, the press release said.
Nessel said the law should be changed to better protect inmates.
“Our laws should match the severity of the crime, and this type of alleged sexual misconduct by corrections staff is a serious violation,” Nessel said in a statement. “Updating these statutes will strengthen protections for inmates and ensure that penalties appropriately match the offense.”
Prosecutors allege that Lee engaged in multiple sexual acts with several prisoners while working at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. The Department of State Police referred the case to the Department of Attorney General.
“I want to thank both the Michigan Department of Corrections and the Michigan State Police for their swift action in investigating these allegations,” Nessel said in a statement. “Everyone deserves protection from sexual abuse, and Michigan has laws in place to keep people safe in our correctional facilities. My office will continue to hold accountable those who seek to use their positions of authority to abuse those under their care.”
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