State Rep. Ann Bollin this week voted in favor of bipartisan legislation to strengthen transparency and accountability within the Michigan Department of Corrections, continuing her efforts to address concerns within Michigan’s prison system and improve conditions for both corrections staff and inmates.

House Bills 5920 and 5921 would strengthen the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, the nonpartisan office responsible for investigating actions of the state corrections department that are alleged to violate law or department policy.

“Over the last several years, we have seen troubling reports about conditions within our corrections system, particularly at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility,” said Bollin, R-Brighton Township. “These reports are serious, and we have a responsibility to ensure they are thoroughly investigated and addressed. Strengthening independent oversight is an important step toward restoring confidence in the system and improving conditions for everyone inside our correctional facilities.”

The plan approved by the House this week would expand who can file complaints with the ombudsman to include family members, corrections employees, and prisoner advocates, while protecting those individuals from retaliation for communicating with the ombudsman or filing a complaint. The plan would also make the complaint process easier to navigate by creating a standardized complaint form available online and within correctional facilities and requiring confirmation that complaints have been received.

The bills further strengthen oversight by reducing the advance notice required before the ombudsman visits a correctional facility with an expert from 72 hours to 48 hours.

Bollin noted that the legislation complements actions taken through the state budget process this year. As chair of the House Appropriations Committee, she worked to increase accountability and transparency surrounding conditions within Michigan prisons while prioritizing investments to address long-standing maintenance and operational needs at correctional facilities across the state.

“Protecting public safety includes ensuring our correctional facilities are safe, properly maintained, and operating as intended,” Bollin said. “The budget we advanced places a renewed focus on transparency and facility improvements because we recognized serious concerns throughout the prison system. These reforms help ensure legislators and the public have the information needed to hold government accountable and make meaningful improvements where they are needed most.”

The measures were approved by the House and now move to the Senate for further consideration.