LANSING — The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) recently settled a sexual harassment case for $1.1 million involving a current employee. In response, state Rep. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), Democratic vice chair for the House Appropriations Corrections Subcommittee, issued the following statement:
“It should go without saying that sexual assault and harassment have no place in our society. No one should be forced to tolerate any level of harassment or degradation as a part of their employment, regardless of their occupation. MDOC has said they do not condone this type of behavior; however, the systemic nature of this problem will not vanish overnight or disappear with a settlement to a single employee. I will do all I can to ensure our institutions are held accountable to their employees and the people we serve.”