"The Judge Didn't Sentence Me to Be Raped": Tracy Neal v. Michigan Department of Corrections: A 15-Year Battle Against the Sexual Abuse of Women Inmates in Michigan

• NCJ Number: 240341
• Journal: Women and Criminal Justice Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: July - September 2012 Pages: 206-225
• Author(s): Rachel Culley
• Date Published: July 2012
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article traces the history of Tracy Neal v. Michigan Department of Corrections, that alleged the sexual abuse of women prisoners spanning more than two decades.

Abstract

This research traces the history of Tracy Neal v. Michigan Department of Corrections, a class action lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections that alleged the sexual abuse of women prisoners spanning more than two decades. The litigation resulted in combined jury verdicts of more than $30 million for the plaintiffs and a $100 million settlement that included extensive injunctive relief. This article examines the abuses and conditions suffered by female inmates in Michigan prisons, the court decisions, jury trials, and settlement. Drawing on interviews from several lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, the article provides an examination of the circumstances, discusses litigation strategy, and highlights lessons from Neal that could be relevant to civil rights scholars and advocates. The article concludes with a discussion of the impact and future implications of this case. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.