Department will stop identifying sexual orientation on forms

Lansing(AP)---The MDOC will stop identifying a prisoner's sexual orientation on its forms after a civil rights group questioned the practice.

The Corrections Department conducted an internal investigation after the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan sent a letter expressing concern that identifying a prisoner as a homosexual puts the gay prisoners at greater risk for violence.

Russ Marlan, a spokesman for the Department, said a question regarding sexual orientation had been on four forms, including prisoner transfer forms and pre-sentencing reports, for several years, though it wasn't known for how long. It was put there to identify prisoners who might be preyed on, Marlan said.

But the ACLU said identifying people as gay on forms and records would have the opposite effect.

Marlan said the department doesn't see a need to continue the practice and is changing its forms.



Deb (this was in yesterday's paper up here.....)

Thanks Deb !!!! Gosh !!! I didn't even imagine that a DOC could list a sexual preference on a prisoner record !!! :argh

Good job ACLU !! :)

You know, I have mixed emotions about this...

Where my Partner is the fact that he is gay is in his 'file' and for some purposes this is a good thing.

I see the ACLU's point and don't disagree that in some cases this may work against a Prisoner - especially in the hands of a homophibic guard. If the information is truly used to protect the Prisoner then I would almost say that it was an injustice to say that it should not be there.

This is one issue that I would leave open to debate as perhaps a necessary piece of information? It all depends on the use of the information and who has access to the information.

I think it is good that they don't list it. I can see Teb's point in a way though. I guess it depends on how the listing or unlisting of sexual orientation is used and interpreted. It is not in Tim's file that he is gay, but I am sure that some of the staff know because of the mail we send to each other. We mostly don't even mention being gay in our letters, but I am sure some have caught on. Tim says he is sure they know, but nothing is never said to him about it. But just as long as he doesn't care, I don't care. The ACLU always strives to seek equal treatment of those that are gay and I like their efforts and dedications very much. I have a lot of respect for them.

pookie