IDOC and Sexual Harassment

[lizzi0067]

The Associated Press

March 4, 2004, 5:01 PM CST

BENTON, Ill. -- Twelve female prison guards primarily at Menard Correctional Center filed a lawsuit Thursday in federal court, claiming their co-workers sexually harassed them over four years and retaliated when they complained, including forcing them to escort inmates unsafely.

The 52-page civil suit against the Illinois Department of Corrections seeks unspecified damages for the 12 women, 11 of whom continue to work at Menard, said Courtney Cox, one of the lawyers representing the women. One works at the Tamms "Supermax'' Correctional Center.

All referred questions to their lawyers, citing a department policy against speaking publicly about their jobs, Cox said.

A spokesman for the department, Sergio Molina, did not immediately return telephone messages left Thursday by The Associated Press Thursday.

The women contend they had been subjected to sexual pawing and ridicule by several of their male co-workers and bosses since 2000, then experienced retaliation when they lodged sexual harassment complaints with the U.S. Equal Rights Commission.

"They were hung out to dry,'' said Martine Jackson, another lawyer representing the plaintiffs.

Among the allegations of retaliation listed in the complaint:
A female Menard guard was required to escort a ``combative'' inmate alone, rather then in the group of guards that had escorted the inmate previously.
A female Menard guard was required to escort groups of sexual offenders to the showers alone, which the complaint says is against department rules.
A male Menard guard once shoved a female guard's head into the meal slot on a cell door, prompting the inmate and other guards to laugh.

Four other female guards at Shawnee Correctional Center filed a similar lawsuit in December, which will likely be combined with Thursday's case, Jackson said.

The EEOC handles workplace discrimination complaints that allegedly violate federal law. Spokeswoman Rita Coffey declined to comment on any specific case, citing confidentiality rules.

Complaints against government entites, such as the Illinois Department of Corrections, are referred to the U.S. Department of Justice before any lawsuit can be filed, Coffey said. Cox said the 16 plaintiffs recently received letters from the Department of Justice granting them the right to sue.

The EEOC, Department of Corrections representatives and plaintiffs' lawyers sat down in January to try to resolve the allegations, Cox said, but the attempt failed.

[Rostonhall]

What I wouldn't give to know the names of all involved, both those bringing the claim and those it's against!!! Bet we know some of them.

Rose

[jimsenglishgeek]

I'm making a mental list even now!! Let's see... who haven't I seen for awhile??? I've got some mixed feelings here. There are some female c/o's I would be outraged for if they were the ones being subjected to the old boy's club rules. But there are a few of them I would be hard-pressed to feel sorry for.

[Rostonhall]

Oh, jims, I feel exactly the same way and I expect you know just who I'm thinking of. There was one who used to be n the electric-eye who was so nice and helpful. She really was a sweety to me on my very first visit. But there's one I would go as far as giving evidence against if I thought it would help!!!

Rose