Michigan Compiled Laws
Act 46 of 1975 - Legislative Corrections Ombudsman (4.351 - 4.364)
Section 4.359 - Correspondence Between Ombudsman and Prisoner as Confidential and Privileged; Secrecy; Disclosures; Exemption.

Sec. 9.
(1) Correspondence between the ombudsman and a prisoner is confidential and must be processed as privileged correspondence in the same manner as letters between prisoners and courts, attorneys, or public officials.
(2) The ombudsman shall maintain secrecy with respect to all matters and the identities of the complainants or persons from whom information is acquired, except so far as disclosures may be necessary to enable the ombudsman to perform the duties of the office and to support any recommendations resulting from an investigation. A record of or information obtained or created by the ombudsman is confidential, is considered privileged, must only be used for purposes set forth in this act, is not subject to court subpoena, and is not discoverable in a legal proceeding. A record of or information obtained by the ombudsman that is otherwise available from other sources is not exempt from court subpoena or discovery from other sources solely because it was presented to or reviewed by the ombudsman.
(3) All of the following are exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246:
(a) A record of the ombudsman.
(b) A report or recommendations made by the ombudsman and submitted to the council under section 10.
(c) Information obtained or created by the ombudsman.
History: 1975, Act 46, Imd. Eff. May 16, 1975 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 197, Imd. Eff. Nov. 29, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 571, Eff. Mar. 29, 2019

Structure Michigan Compiled Laws

Michigan Compiled Laws

Chapter 4 - Legislature

Act 46 of 1975 - Legislative Corrections Ombudsman (4.351 - 4.364)

Section 4.351 - Definitions.

Section 4.352 - Office of Legislative Corrections Ombudsman; Creation; Legislative Corrections Ombudsman as Principal Executive Officer; Appointment; Term.

Section 4.353 - Procedures as to Budget, Expenditures, and Personnel.

Section 4.354 - Commencement of Investigation; Procedures as to Complaints, Investigations, Hearings, and Reports.

Section 4.355 - Access to Physical and Electronic Information, Records, and Documents; Authorization to Interview; Inspection of Premises; Informal Hearings; Appearance; Evidence.

Section 4.356 - Administrative Process; Investigation or Hearing Discretionary.

Section 4.357 - Notice of Investigation; Notice When Investigation Declined.

Section 4.358 - Legislative Council; Hearing; Administration of Oaths, Subpoena of Witness, and Examination of Books and Records.

Section 4.359 - Correspondence Between Ombudsman and Prisoner as Confidential and Privileged; Secrecy; Disclosures; Exemption.

Section 4.360 - Report of Investigative Findings; Recommendations; Forwarding Report.

Section 4.361 - Announcing Critical Conclusion or Recommendation; Publishing Adverse Opinions; Publishing Statement in Defense or Mitigation of Action; Notice of Action on Recommendation.

Section 4.362 - Annual Report.

Section 4.363 - Prisoner Not to Be Penalized for Complaint, Cooperation, or Communication; Prohibitions.

Section 4.364 - Authority of Ombudsman.