Shawono Center & W.J. Maxey - DOJ Investigation Findings .

Introduction: The DOJ Reports That Exposed Michigan’s Juvenile Justice Crisis

When the U.S. Department of Justice released its civil rights investigation findings on Michigan’s juvenile detention facilities, the numbers were staggering: 24% of youth at Shawono Center and 27% at W.J. Maxey Training School reported experiencing sexual abuse—rates two to three times the national average.

These weren’t just statistics. They represented hundreds of children who, while in state custody for rehabilitation, instead experienced trauma that would affect them for life. The DOJ investigations exposed systemic failures across Michigan’s state-run juvenile facilities and triggered ongoing federal oversight that continues today.

This comprehensive analysis covers:

Complete DOJ investigation findings for both facilities
Types of abuse documented and how it occurred
Systemic failures that enabled abuse
Federal oversight requirements and reform progress
Legal rights for Shawono and Maxey survivors
Current facility status and ongoing concerns

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DOJ Civil Rights Investigation: Background and Scope

Why the DOJ Investigated Michigan

Federal civil rights investigations into juvenile facilities don’t happen randomly. The DOJ acts when:

Patterns of abuse are reported to federal authorities
Advocacy organizations document systemic rights violations
State oversight proves inadequate
Constitutional rights of detained youth are violated

In Michigan’s case, all four factors were present. Years of complaints from:

Former residents and their families
Legal aid organizations representing detained youth
Advocacy groups monitoring facility conditions
Attorneys involved in abuse litigation

Combined with Michigan’s poor reputation in national juvenile justice circles, these factors prompted federal intervention.

Investigation Process

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division conducted comprehensive investigations:

Methods Used:

Unannounced facility visits
Confidential interviews with current residents
Staff interviews (though many refused cooperation)
Review of facility records, policies, and incident reports
Medical record analysis
Inspection of physical facilities
Analysis of staffing patterns and supervision
Review of state oversight and licensing processes

Survey of Youth:
Most significantly, DOJ investigators conducted confidential surveys of detained youth using standardized instruments designed to detect sexual abuse. These surveys, combined with individual interviews, produced the shocking statistics.

Timeline:

Initial complaints: 2010s
DOJ opens investigation: Mid-2010s
Facility visits and data collection: 2015-2018
Reports released: 2018-2019
Ongoing oversight: 2019-present

Legal Basis for Investigation

The DOJ investigated under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which authorizes federal investigations of:

State-run facilities
Conditions that violate constitutional rights
Pattern or practice of rights violations
Facilities for children, elderly, or disabled persons

The investigations focused on violations of:

Eighth Amendment: Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
Fourteenth Amendment: Due process and protection from harm while in state custody
Fourth Amendment: Protection from unreasonable searches (strip search violations)

Shawono Center: Complete DOJ Findings

Facility Profile

Basic Information:

Category	Details
Location	2005 I-75 Business Loop, Grayling, MI 49738
Operator	State of Michigan (Dept. of Health & Human Services)
Capacity	40 beds
Population	Male youth ages 12-21
Security Level	Secure residential
Programs	Sexual offender rehabilitation, substance abuse treatment
Status	Operating (under federal oversight)

Population Characteristics:
Shawono serves youth court-ordered to secure residential treatment, including:

Youth adjudicated for sexual offenses (requiring specialized treatment)
Youth with serious substance abuse issues
Youth who failed at less restrictive placements
Youth assessed as high-risk for reoffending

This vulnerable, high-need population required exceptional care and supervision—which Shawono failed to provide.

The 24% Statistic: What It Means

DOJ Finding: 24% of Shawono residents reported experiencing sexual abuse while detained at the facility.

Breaking Down the Numbers:

Facility capacity: 40 beds
Number affected: Approximately 10 youth at any given time
Types of abuse: Both staff-on-youth and youth-on-youth sexual abuse
Comparison: National average for juvenile facilities is 7-10%
Rate multiplier: Shawono’s rate is 2.4-3.4 times the national average

What “Sexual Abuse” Includes:

The DOJ used Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) definitions:

Staff Sexual Misconduct:

Any sexual contact between staff and youth
Intentional touching of genitals, breasts, buttocks
Staff exposure of their genitals to youth
Voyeurism (staff watching youth shower/undress without legitimate purpose)
Sexual harassment (repeated sexual comments, requests for sexual acts)

Youth-on-Youth Sexual Abuse:

Sexual contact without consent or with coercion
Sexual contact with youth unable to consent due to age, disability, or intoxication
Abusive sexual contact (forcible touching)

Underreporting Considerations:

The 24% figure likely understates true prevalence because:

Shame and stigma prevent disclosure
Fear of retaliation discourages reporting
Some youth don’t recognize abuse (especially grooming)
Youth may not trust DOJ investigators
Memory suppression of traumatic events

Experts suggest actual rates could be 30-40% or higher when accounting for unreported abuse.

Types of Abuse Documented at Shawono

Staff Sexual Misconduct:

The DOJ documented multiple forms of staff sexual abuse:

Direct Sexual Contact:

Staff members engaging in sexual acts with residents
Inappropriate touching during searches or restraints
Staff using positions of authority to coerce sexual contact
Quid pro quo arrangements (sexual acts for privileges, contraband, favorable treatment)

Grooming Behaviors:

Staff providing special favors to targeted youth
Inappropriate personal relationships
Boundary violations building toward sexual contact
Isolation of vulnerable youth for exploitation

Sexual Harassment:

Sexually explicit comments to youth
Discussions of sexual topics without legitimate purpose
Requests for sexual acts
Showing youth pornographic materials
Making sexual gestures or remarks

Voyeurism:

Staff watching youth shower without legitimate supervision purpose
Staff observing youth during toilet use
Unnecessary observation during strip searches
Taking photos or videos of youth in states of undress

Youth-on-Youth Sexual Abuse:

Inadequate supervision created conditions where peer sexual abuse flourished:

Nighttime Assaults:

Sexual assaults in sleeping areas during overnight hours
Single staff members supervising 15-20 youth made intervention impossible
Youth fearful to report due to retaliation from aggressors

Bathroom/Shower Assaults:

Lack of camera coverage in bathrooms
Insufficient staff presence
Older, larger youth targeting vulnerable peers
Coercion through threats or physical intimidation

Coerced Sexual Acts:

Dominant youth forcing sexual contact through:
- Physical threats
- Social pressure
- Manipulation of facility power dynamics
- Threats to report victims for infractions

Systemic Failures Enabling Abuse

The DOJ identified root causes that allowed abuse to flourish:

1. Chronic Understaffing

The Problem:

Shawono routinely operated below minimum staff-to-youth ratios
State standards require 1:8 during waking hours, 1:16 overnight
Actual staffing frequently 1:15-20 during day, 1:25+ overnight
Mandatory overtime created exhausted, less vigilant staff
High turnover meant inexperienced staff on duty

The Impact:

Single staff members left alone with large groups
Impossible to maintain line-of-sight supervision
Staff couldn’t respond to multiple incidents simultaneously
Youth left unsupervised in sleeping areas, bathrooms, recreation
Abuse occurred in gaps when staff attention divided

DOJ Requirement:
Immediate increase in staffing to meet minimum ratios at all times

2. Inadequate Training

The Problem:

Staff received minimal PREA training (4 hours vs. recommended 40)
Little training on recognizing grooming behaviors
Insufficient education on trauma-informed care
No training on working with youth who have experienced prior sexual abuse
Failure to train on reporting obligations

The Impact:

Staff couldn’t identify warning signs of abuse
Staff didn’t understand boundaries with youth
Failure to recognize coercive dynamics
Staff unsure how to respond to disclosures
Some staff didn’t know reporting requirements

DOJ Requirement:
Comprehensive training overhaul with ongoing education

3. Camera Coverage Gaps

The Problem:

Large portions of facility had no camera surveillance
Sleeping areas unmonitored
Bathrooms had no coverage (appropriate for privacy but required more staffing)
Existing cameras frequently malfunctioned
Repairs took weeks or months
No one assigned to monitor camera feeds in real-time

The Impact:

Abuse occurred in blind spots
No video evidence when youth reported abuse
Staff assaults happened off-camera
Youth knew which areas weren’t monitored

DOJ Requirement:
Install comprehensive camera system with monitoring, exclude only areas where privacy required (bathrooms, changing areas)

4. Failure to Investigate Complaints

The Problem:

Youth complaints of abuse often not documented
When documented, investigations were cursory
Internal investigations biased toward protecting staff
No independent oversight of investigations
Youth not informed of investigation outcomes
Abusive staff members often remained on duty during investigations

The Impact:

Abuse continued even after reports
Youth stopped reporting because nothing happened
Staff learned they faced no consequences
Pattern of abuse by same perpetrators over months/years

DOJ Requirement:
External investigation of all abuse allegations with youth notification of outcomes

5. Retaliation Against Reporting Youth

The Problem:

Youth who reported abuse faced:
- Transfer to more restrictive housing
- Loss of privileges
- Negative reports sent to courts affecting their cases
- Isolation from other youth
- Being labeled “troublemakers”
- Facing disciplinary action for “false reporting”

The Impact:

Culture of silence where youth feared reporting
Only most egregious abuse reported
Staff knew youth wouldn’t report
Youth felt helpless and unprotected

DOJ Requirement:
Strict anti-retaliation policies with monitoring and consequences for violations

6. Risk Assessment Failures

The Problem:

No screening of youth for sexual abuse vulnerability
Youth with histories of sexual aggression housed with vulnerable youth
No separation based on size, age, sexual maturity
Known victims placed with known aggressors
Facility didn’t adjust supervision based on risk

The Impact:

Predictable victimization patterns
Youth with prior abuse trauma retraumatized
Sexually aggressive youth given opportunities to offend
Younger, smaller youth targeted by older, larger peers

DOJ Requirement:
Comprehensive screening and risk-based housing decisions

Federal Oversight and Required Reforms

Following the DOJ report, Shawono entered into a consent decree (agreement) requiring specific reforms:

Immediate Actions Required:

✓ Increase staffing to meet minimum ratios 24/7
✓ Install comprehensive camera systems
✓ Implement external investigation process for abuse allegations
✓ Create independent reporting mechanism for youth
✓ Provide comprehensive PREA training to all staff
✓ Screen all youth for abuse risk and adjust housing accordingly
✓ Eliminate retaliation against reporting youth
✓ Improve medical and mental health screening

Ongoing Requirements:

✓ Regular external audits of PREA compliance
✓ Quarterly reporting to DOJ on incidents and investigations
✓ Annual youth surveys on safety and abuse
✓ Staff training updates
✓ Independent monitor with full facility access
✓ Public reporting of abuse statistics

Timeline for Compliance:

Immediate reforms: Within 90 days
Comprehensive reforms: Within 1 year
Full compliance: Within 2 years
Ongoing monitoring: Minimum 5 years

Current Status and Ongoing Concerns

Progress Made (as of 2025):

✓ Staffing levels increased (though still sometimes below requirements)
✓ Camera systems installed in most common areas
✓ External audits conducted annually
✓ Some training improvements implemented
✓ Anonymous reporting mechanisms created

Ongoing Concerns:

⚠ Staffing still inadequate during some shifts due to vacancies
⚠ Training quality inconsistent across staff
⚠ Youth report continued fear of retaliation
⚠ Some abuse allegations still not thoroughly investigated
⚠ Mental health services remain inadequate
⚠ High staff turnover undermines reforms

Advocacy Organization Reports:

Organizations monitoring Shawono report:

Conditions improved from 2018 but remain concerning
Youth continue to report feeling unsafe
Reform implementation slower than required
State not holding facility accountable for compliance failures
Additional oversight needed

W.J. Maxey Training School: Complete DOJ Findings

Facility Profile

Basic Information:

Category	Details
Location	1479 N. Dixboro Road, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
County	Washtenaw County
Operator	State of Michigan (Dept. of Health & Human Services)
Capacity	50-60 beds (varies)
Population	Male youth ages 12-21
Security Level	Secure residential training school
Programs	Education, vocational training, behavioral treatment
Status	Operating (under federal oversight)

Historical Context:
W.J. Maxey Training School has operated since the 1920s as a state juvenile training facility. Its long history includes periods of reform and regression, with the DOJ investigation revealing that despite a century of operation, basic safety protections remained absent.

The 27% Statistic: Michigan’s Highest Documented Abuse Rate

DOJ Finding: 27% of Maxey residents reported experiencing sexual abuse while detained.

What This Means:

One in four youth experienced sexual abuse
Highest rate among Michigan state juvenile facilities
Three times the national average
At 50-bed capacity: Approximately 13-14 youth at any time have been sexually abused

Historical Context:

27% isn’t a one-year anomaly. The DOJ investigation covered multiple years, suggesting:

Hundreds of youth victimized over time
Systemic problems, not isolated incidents
Long-standing failure of state oversight
Generational impact (some staff worked there for decades during high-abuse periods)

Types of Abuse at Maxey: More Detail

Staff-Involved Sexual Abuse (approximately 40% of reported incidents):

Direct Sexual Assault:

Staff members having sexual contact with residents
Assaults occurring during:
- Individual counseling sessions
- Transport to medical appointments
- One-on-one supervision periods
- Evening/overnight shifts with minimal supervision
- During showers or room checks

Grooming and Manipulation:

Staff targeting vulnerable youth:
- Those without family support
- Youth with histories of prior abuse
- Youth with low self-esteem
- Those desperate for positive attention
Progression from boundary violations to sexual contact
Use of contraband, privileges, or protection as currency

Staff Sexual Harassment:

Sexually explicit comments about youth’s bodies
Discussions of sexual topics without legitimate purpose
Showing youth pornography
Making sexual gestures or propositions
Threats of sexual assault as intimidation

Voyeurism and Privacy Violations:

Staff watching youth shower or change clothes
Unnecessary room searches to view youth undressed
Taking photos or videos of youth
Making youth remain unclothed during searches or “searches”

Youth-on-Youth Sexual Abuse (approximately 60% of reported incidents):

Dormitory-Style Housing Issues:

Unlike facilities with individual rooms, Maxey houses youth in open dormitory units:

The Problem:

10-15 youth sleep in single open room
Minimal overnight supervision (1 staff for 25+ youth across multiple units)
Bathrooms attached to dormitories
Low lighting overnight
Noise makes it hard for staff to hear from other areas

The Impact:

Sexual assaults during nighttime when staff in other areas
Younger/smaller youth targeted by older/larger youth
Threats keeping victims silent
Staff unaware until morning (if then)

Shower and Bathroom Assaults:

Bathrooms have some privacy (appropriate) but inadequate supervision
Sexual assaults in showers
Coerced sexual acts in bathroom stalls
Staff unable to monitor without violating privacy
Design failure: privacy needed but supervision absent

Common Area Assaults:

Recreation areas during unstructured time
During transitions between activities
In education building bathrooms
During brief periods when staff attending to incidents elsewhere

Coercion and Manipulation:

Dominant youth coerced sexual acts through:

Physical threats and intimidation
Threats to assault or “beat down” victims
Social dominance and facility hierarchy
Trading protection for sexual acts
Blackmail (threatening to report victims for infractions)

Systemic Failures at Maxey: Why Abuse Rate Was Highest

While Maxey shared many problems with Shawono, several factors made it even more dangerous:

1. Facility Design Failures

Open Dormitory Units:

Unlike modern facilities with individual rooms, Maxey’s old design puts 10-15 youth in open sleeping areas
Creates opportunities for nighttime sexual assault
Staff can’t maintain visual supervision of all youth
Youth vulnerable while sleeping

Inadequate Bathroom Supervision:

Need for privacy conflicts with supervision needs
Facility design doesn’t allow staff to hear disturbances
Bathrooms far from staff stations
Multiple isolated areas

Building Layout:

Multiple buildings requiring staff to move between them
Long corridors with blind spots
Maintenance areas and storage rooms providing isolated spaces
Old facility not designed with abuse prevention in mind

2. Even More Severe Understaffing

Maxey’s staffing problems exceeded Shawono’s:

The Numbers:

Required ratio: 1:8 during day, 1:16 overnight
Actual ratio often: 1:20+ during day, 1:30+ overnight
Some overnight shifts: Single staff for entire facility (50-60 youth)
Staff unable to maintain line-of-sight with dormitory design

Contributing Factors:

Remote location (Whitmore Lake) makes recruitment difficult
Low state wages can’t compete with nearby Ann Arbor employers
Stressful, dangerous working conditions drive high turnover
Insufficient applicants to fill vacancies
Mandatory overtime creating burnout

3. Inadequate Risk Screening

The Problem:

Youth not screened for sexual abuse vulnerability
Youth not screened for sexual aggressiveness
Known sex offenders housed with vulnerable victims
No adjustment of housing based on age, size, maturity
Youth with prior abuse trauma not identified or given additional protection

Specific Example:
A 12-year-old with history of being sexually abused might be housed in same dormitory as 19-year-old with history of sexual aggression—a predictable recipe for victimization.

4. Investigation and Accountability Failures

The Problem at Maxey:

Even worse than Shawono’s investigation failures
Many allegations not even documented
Internal investigations pro forma with predetermined outcomes
Staff rarely disciplined even with credible allegations
Youth threatened if they persisted with complaints

Example Pattern:

Youth reports sexual assault by another resident
Staff asks basic questions but doesn’t separate youth
“Investigation” involves asking alleged perpetrator (who denies)
Case closed as “unfounded”
Victim faces retaliation from perpetrator
Other youth see that reporting accomplishes nothing

5. Medical and Mental Health Inadequacies

The Problem:

Inadequate mental health staffing
Medical staff not trained in sexual assault response
No specialized treatment for sexual abuse trauma
Failure to identify signs of abuse during medical encounters
No forensic examinations when abuse reported

The Impact:

Abuse-related injuries not properly documented
Trauma symptoms misdiagnosed as behavior problems
No treatment for abuse trauma
Medical evidence lost
Youth with prior sexual abuse trauma not identified and protected

Federal Oversight of Maxey

Similar to Shawono, Maxey entered consent decree requiring reforms:

Immediate Reforms Required:

✓ Double overnight staffing immediately
✓ Install comprehensive camera systems
✓ Screen all youth for abuse risk within 72 hours of admission
✓ Separate high-risk aggressors from vulnerable victims
✓ External investigation of all abuse allegations
✓ Comprehensive PREA training for all staff
✓ Medical protocol for sexual assault response

Longer-Term Reforms:

✓ Facility redesign to eliminate dormitory housing (transition to individual rooms)
✓ Improved bathroom supervision without violating privacy
✓ Enhanced lighting in all areas
✓ Hiring additional staff to meet ratios
✓ Specialized mental health services for trauma
✓ Independent ombudsman for youth complaints

Timeline:

Emergency reforms: Immediate
Full compliance: 2 years
Facility redesign: 5-year plan
Ongoing monitoring: Minimum 5 years (likely 10+)

Current Status at Maxey

Progress (as of 2025):

✓ Some staffing increases (still below requirements)
✓ Camera systems installed
✓ Risk screening implemented
✓ Some housing separation based on risk
✓ Training improved
✓ External audits conducted

Ongoing Problems:

⚠ Facility still uses dormitory design (room renovation not completed)
⚠ Staffing vacancies mean ratios still inadequate during some shifts
⚠ Staff turnover undermines training improvements
⚠ Youth report continued safety concerns
⚠ Mental health services still inadequate
⚠ Some abuse allegations still not properly investigated

Advocacy Concerns:

Reforms proceeding too slowly
State not dedicating sufficient resources
Facility should be closed and replaced with modern, smaller facilities
Youth continue to be victimized during slow reform process

Comparing Shawono and Maxey: Common Threads

Both facilities shared root causes of abuse:

Factor	Shawono	Maxey	Result
Understaffing	Chronic, severe	Even worse	Youth left unsupervised
Training	Inadequate	Inadequate	Staff couldn’t prevent/respond to abuse
Investigations	Cursory, biased	Even worse	Abuse continued with impunity
Retaliation	Common	Common	Culture of silence
Risk Screening	Absent	Absent	Predictable victimization
Cameras	Major gaps	Major gaps	Abuse occurred off-camera
State Oversight	Failed	Failed	Problems continued for years

Fundamental Problem:
Both facilities prioritized control and cost-savings over youth safety. The state operated them as warehouses rather than treatment facilities, with inevitable consequences.

Legal Rights for Shawono and Maxey Survivors

If you were detained at Shawono or Maxey and experienced abuse, you have legal rights.

Unique Aspects of Suing State Facilities

Governmental Immunity:

Michigan law provides some immunity to state agencies, but important exceptions exist:

Exceptions Allowing Lawsuits:

Gross negligence: Reckless disregard for safety (DOJ findings support this)
Intentional torts: Assault, battery, sexual abuse by staff
Federal civil rights claims: Section 1983 lawsuits bypass state immunity
Constitutional violations: 8th and 14th Amendment claims

DOJ Findings as Evidence:

The DOJ reports provide powerful evidence for lawsuits:

Official federal documentation of systemic failures
24-27% abuse rates impossible to dispute
Detailed findings on specific deficiencies
Consent decrees showing state admitted problems

Similar Abuse Patterns:

If your experience matches patterns documented in DOJ reports:

Understaffing during your shift/unit
Abuse in areas without cameras
Facility’s failure to investigate your complaints
Retaliation after you reported

These similarities strengthen your case significantly.

Building Your Case

Evidence to Gather:

Personal Records:

Medical records from your time at facility
Mental health records (during and after detention)
Any incident reports you filed
Disciplinary records (especially if punished for reporting)

Facility Records (attorney will subpoena):

Your facility file
Staffing logs from dates of abuse
Other residents’ reports of similar abuse
Staff disciplinary records
State inspection reports

Supporting Documentation:

DOJ investigation report
Consent decree requirements
News coverage of facility problems
Other lawsuits against facility

Corroboration:

Finding other survivors strengthens everyone’s cases:

Similar abuse patterns
Same perpetrators
Consistent facility failures
Class action possibilities

Potential Defendants

State of Michigan:

Operated both facilities
Responsible for staffing, training, oversight
Failed to protect despite knowing about problems

Department of Health and Human Services:

Licensing and oversight authority
Continued renewing licenses despite violations
Failed to enforce regulations

Individual Staff Members:

Staff who directly committed abuse
Supervisors who knew and failed to act
Administrators who covered up abuse

Third Parties:

Staffing agencies if they provided inadequately screened staff
Contractors responsible for facility services

Timeline for Claims

Statute of Limitations:

Against state facilities:

Notice requirement: Must provide notice to state within 6 months to 1 year (varies by claim type)
Filing deadline: Lawsuit must be filed within 1-3 years
Sexual abuse exception: May extend to age 28 for childhood sexual abuse
Discovery rule: Clock may start when you realized harm, not when abuse occurred

Important: State claims have shorter deadlines than private facility claims. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

Settlement Considerations

State’s Approach:

Michigan has shown willingness to settle juvenile abuse cases:

$80 million settlement to 1,300 survivors (2020)
Various individual settlements
Desire to avoid trial publicity

Factors Affecting Value:

Strengths:

DOJ documentation of systemic failures
High abuse rates prove facility danger
Federal oversight shows state admitted problems
Multiple victims strengthen pattern evidence

Challenges:

Governmental immunity requires proving gross negligence or constitutional violation
State may argue reforms addressed problems
Sovereign immunity caps may limit damages in some claim types

Realistic Expectations:

Based on similar cases:

Minor abuse, single incident: $100,000 – $300,000
Repeated abuse over months: $300,000 – $800,000
Severe, prolonged abuse: $800,000 – $2,000,000+
Class actions: Lower per-person but faster resolution

Take Action: Resources for Shawono and Maxey Survivors

Immediate Steps

1. Document Your Experience

Write down everything you remember:

Dates of detention at facility (month/year if not exact)
Names of staff who abused you
Locations where abuse occurred (dorm, bathroom, specific areas)
Other youth who witnessed or experienced similar abuse
Whether you reported and to whom
How facility responded
Impact on your life then and now

2. Gather Records

Collect any documentation you have:

Court records from your juvenile case
Medical records
Mental health treatment records
Correspondence about abuse
Any prior complaints you filed

Crisis Support:

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Michigan Child Abuse Hotline: 1-855-444-3911

Advocacy Organizations:

Citizens for Juvenile Justice
Michigan Coalition to End Sexual Assault
Juvenile Law Center

Are You a Survivor? Take Action Now.

The abuse allegations at youth detention centers across Michigan has shed light on a dark chapter in our nations history.

As the statute of limitations looms, it is imperative that survivors take action now to secure the justice, compensation, and closure they deserve.

By consulting with our experienced attorneys, gathering evidence, and seeking emotional support, survivors can navigate the complex legal landscape and ensure their voices are heard.

If you or someone you love is a survivor of abuse in any youth detention centers in Michigan, we encourage you to take action now, we intend to hold them responsible for the pain and suffering that occurred at their facilities. Use the 100% Secure intake form above, or call us direct at 1-800-631-5656.

Page: Shawono Center & W.J. Maxey – DOJ Investigation Findings updated on January 16, 2026