Eight female former prisoners of the Crane Correctional Facility were awarded $8.45 million in damages for the rape and sexual harassment they suffered in the 90s by guards at the facility in Coldwater, Michigan.
This is the second multimillion dollar verdict against the Michigan Department of Corrections in a huge civil case alleging widespread abuse in Michigan prisons.
The case is being heard in batches in front of Washtenaw Circuit Judge Timothy Connors, since more than 500 female prisoners have alleged that they were sexually abused by prison guards in the 90s.
The first verdict was handed out in February when 10 current and former prisoners were awarded $15.4 million in damages for sexual abuse by corrections officers at Scott Correctional Facility in Plymoth.
Deborah LaBelle, the lead attorney for the case stated that these prisoners had been deeply damaged by the hands of the state.
A third trial will be held in 2009 against Western Wayne Correctional Facility which was closed in 2004.
The verdict from the first trial is being appealed.
This is the second multimillion dollar verdict against the Michigan Department of Corrections in a huge civil case alleging widespread abuse in Michigan prisons.
The case is being heard in batches in front of Washtenaw Circuit Judge Timothy Connors, since more than 500 female prisoners have alleged that they were sexually abused by prison guards in the 90s.
The first verdict was handed out in February when 10 current and former prisoners were awarded $15.4 million in damages for sexual abuse by corrections officers at Scott Correctional Facility in Plymoth.
Deborah LaBelle, the lead attorney for the case stated that these prisoners had been deeply damaged by the hands of the state.
A third trial will be held in 2009 against Western Wayne Correctional Facility which was closed in 2004.
The verdict from the first trial is being appealed.
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