Welcome to webpages for the Office of Legislative Corrections Ombudsman (LCO). It is our hope that this website will be useful in helping to find out what we do, provide information about how to file a complaint, find a Michigan prison, access useful links and meet our staff.
The Office of Legislative Corrections Ombudsman was created in 1975 by Public Act 46. The authority for the agency can be found in Michigan Compiled Laws 4.351 - 4.364. LCO is a nonpartisan legislative agency responsible for investigating complaints regarding the state prison system filed with LCO by Legislators, prisoners, family members and MDOC staff that are alleged to be a violation of state law or Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) policy, a significant health or safety issue, and other matters for which there is no effective administrative remedy. Our staff visit correctional facilities on a regular basis, interacting with the prisoner population and MDOC institutional staff. We also monitor tensions and conditions within the prison system, keeping the Michigan Legislature apprised of significant events.
LCO has complete access to all MDOC facilities, records and documents in the possession of the MDOC. We attempt to obtain the facts surrounding an allegation and complete a comparative analysis of the allegation, facts and relevant MDOC policy, procedure or statute. It is our goal to attempt to resolve complaints, when substantiated, at the lowest level possible within MDOC, identify and recommend corrective action for systemic issues, and keep the Legislature informed of relevant issues regarding Michigan’s corrections system.
Our mission to the Legislature, ability to obtain, interpret and explain MDOC policy/procedures and our knowledge of the system uniquely positions the Ombudsman Office to serve the Legislature and citizens of Michigan.
Thank you for visiting our website.