FLORIDA
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida this week concluded that female inmates are being sexually abused by the facility’s staff.
“Prison officials have a constitutional duty to protect prisoners from harm, including sexual abuse by staff,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.
Adding, “Sexual abuse is never acceptable, and it is not part of any prisoner’s sentence. Our investigation found that staff sexually abused women incarcerated at Lowell and that these women remain at substantial risk of sexual abuse by staff. Our investigation also found that sexual abuse is frequent. This systemic misconduct means that many women suffer abuse. In addition, prisoners are discouraged from reporting sexual abuse, and investigations of sexual abuse allegations are inadequate. This illegal and indecent treatment of women must end, and the Department of Justice will not tolerate it.”
According to the Orlando Weekly, “as an example of the persistent pattern of sexual misconduct, Tuesday’s report pointed to staff discipline logs for April and May of 2017, which include reports of at least 18 officers and other staff facing discipline for violating the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.”
“Sexual abuse cannot be tolerated anywhere and female prison inmates are particularly vulnerable during their confinement,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez for the Middle District of Florida. “This investigation represents a first step towards putting an end to sexual abuse at the Lowell Correctional Institution, and we look forward to working with the State of Florida in finding tangible, effective solutions.”
The investigation was started in April.