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Ask the Right Office: Michigan

Pick a problem to see the office, the official rule, the deadlines and who must file. Then fill in a plain-English letter in your browser, print or save it as a PDF, and add a follow-up date to your calendar.

What this page can and can't tell you

Can: Which office to write to and how to put together a clear letter.

Can't: It can't give an official release date, say whether a specific person qualifies, or give legal advice. Only the DOC, the board or a court decides.

A letter doesn't replace the required official grievance form or procedure, and those have deadlines. If you're worried about retaliation, keep copies and dates of everything you send, and tell the person's attorney or a legal aid office if anything changes afterward.

Free legal help: Legal Services Corporation: find legal aid (civil matters). For criminal cases, ask the public defender's office that handled the case.






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Michigan at a glance

ProblemOfficeDeadline to fileResponse deadline
Time calculation reviewStep I Grievance Coordinator (Prisoner/Parolee Grievance Form CSJ-247A)Try to resolve it with the staff member within 2 business days, then file Step I within 5 business days after that.Step I: 15 business days.
Credit (good time) disputeStep I Grievance Coordinator (Prisoner/Parolee Grievance Form CSJ-247A)Try to resolve it with the staff member within 2 business days, then file Step I within 5 business days after that.Step I: 15 business days.
Medical request or complaintStep I Grievance Coordinator (Prisoner/Parolee Grievance Form CSJ-247A)Try to resolve it with the staff member within 2 business days, then file Step I within 5 business days after that.Step I: 15 business days.
Visit or mail denial appealStep I Grievance Coordinator (Prisoner/Parolee Grievance Form CSJ-247A)Try to resolve it with the staff member within 2 business days, then file Step I within 5 business days after that.Step I: 15 business days.
Records requestThe records custodian at the agency that keeps the recordNo filing deadline in the statute.Respond within 5 business days.
Parole fileNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Disability (ADA) accommodationStep I Grievance Coordinator (Prisoner/Parolee Grievance Form CSJ-247A)Try to resolve it with the staff member within 2 business days, then file Step I within 5 business days after that.Step I: 15 business days.
Transfer or classificationStep I Grievance Coordinator (Prisoner/Parolee Grievance Form CSJ-247A)Try to resolve it with the staff member within 2 business days, then file Step I within 5 business days after that.Step I: 15 business days.

Grievance rule: MDOC Policy Directive 03.02.130, Prisoner/Parolee Grievances (effective 09/28/2026) (opens in new tab). Records: MCL 15.235 and 15.232 (Michigan FOIA) (opens in new tab). Who files a grievance: The prisoner or parolee.

Not legal advice. Rules change and facilities may add local steps; the official text controls. Missing a deadline can end a claim. Find free legal aid (LSC) (opens in new tab). Last checked .

Other states · Michigan credit rules · Check a release calculation · Release countdown · What do I do now?

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