PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP – The Michigan Court of Appeals has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit by dozens of male guards who say they've been denied overtime and job assignments at the state's only prison for women.
In a 3-0 opinion released Wednesday, the court affirmed the decision of a Washtenaw County judge.
The lawsuit centers on employment rules at the Huron Valley prison for women. In response to allegations of sexual abuse at the prison, the Civil Service Commission approved job qualifications that put only women in certain jobs.
The lawsuit claims the Michigan Department of Corrections is violating the civil rights of male officers at the prison.
The appeals court says officers have cleared the threshold for a class-action lawsuit, based on the number of plaintiffs, common issues and other factors.
