MDOC requests lawsuit dismissal

MARENISCO — A judge’s decision on a lawsuit filed by Marenisco Township to attempt to prevent closure of the Ojibway Correctional Facility could come as soon as a week.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed a response Monday to the lawsuit on behalf of the Michigan Department of Corrections.

MDOC is requesting the complaint be dismissed.

Marenisco Township claims there was not enough time given nor the opportunity to be heard before the decision was made to close the prison. It’s also claimed the DOC did not consider the economic impact on the community after announcing the closure on Dec. 1.

MDOC believes the injunction should be dismissed because it did not violate any rights and was not required to contact the township prior to closing the prison. It also claims to have looked into the economic impact.

Marenisco Township will have until Friday to issue a response. MDOC will then have three days to issue a final rebuttal and the judge will then make a decision.