FOIA Assistance: Michigan Prison FOIA Help for Families and Advocates

People incarcerated in Michigan are legally barred from filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests on their own. This restriction applies even when the requested records may be critical to medical care, safety, disciplinary hearings, parole reviews, or conditions of confinement. As a result, families and outside supporters are often left asking how to file a FOIA for a prisoner in Michigan and what information they are allowed to request.

Humanity for Prisoners provides Michigan prison FOIA help to family members, friends, and advocates who need to file a Freedom of Information Act request for a loved one in prison in Michigan. We focus specifically on FOIA requests involving the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and Michigan prisons.

FOIA can be used to request many types of prison records, including incident reports, grievance records, policy documents, housing information, and certain medical and administrative records. However, FOIA prison records in Michigan are frequently denied due to technical errors, overly broad requests, or exemptions that are not clearly explained to the requester. Understanding what can be FOIA’d from a Michigan prison—and how to ask for it correctly—can make a meaningful difference.

Our FOIA Guide explains:

-What records can be requested from MDOC and Michigan prisons

-How to file a FOIA request correctly for someone who is incarcerated

-Common reasons FOIA requests are denied and how to avoid them

-How to request prison records, including medical and administrative records

This resource is designed for people who are navigating the FOIA process for the first time, including those seeking help filing FOIA requests related to prison conditions, healthcare, or administrative decisions. It provides Michigan-specific guidance in clear, plain language, without assuming legal knowledge. You can access the FOIA Guide here.

If you have questions about filing a FOIA request or need additional assistance, please contact us through our Contact Us page.