Post by kittylady on Jul 28, 2022 4:02:49 GMT
Women being held at the Clark County Jail in Indiana allege they were the victims of a "night of terror" when male prisoners gained access to their cells after bribing a prison officer.
Female inmates say they were raped, assaulted and threatened on the night of October 23, 2021, according to a new lawsuit.
Eight woman filed legal action against Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, and a number of former and current Clark County Jail employees, on July 22.
They allege jail officer David Lowe was paid $1,000 by two male prisoners in exchange for access to secure areas of the prison.
The following night the two detainees, along with other male prisoners, reportedly went into an area of the jail housing women and carried out several assaults.
The lawsuit states: "Numerous male detainees used the keys obtained from Lowe to enter Pods 4(E) and 4(F), where they raped, assaulted, harassed, threatened and intimidated the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, and other women, for several hours, resulting in significant physical and emotional injuries."
According to the lawsuit the women were threatened with additional abuse if they pressed an emergency call alarm.
Prison officer David Lowe was fired and arrested in the days following the alleged attacks, according to WDRB. He has been charged with trafficking with an inmate and aiding escape, and is due to face criminal jury trial in September.
In June, a separate lawsuit was filed by 20 women against Lowe, Noel and a number of prison officers.
Speaking to WTHR, Bart Betteau, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, said: "Women were harassed, sexually assaulted, threatened and completely terrified.
"When I met with each and every one of these women, and they broke down repeatedly, you get the impression, the understanding of what these women went through."
When the first lawsuit was filed, Scottie Maples, Clark County Sheriff's Department chief deputy, said the rape allegations had been investigated internally and no charges filed.
The July lawsuit also claims female prisoners were punished after reporting their alleged abuse, with lights left on for 72 hours straight whilst pillows and blankets were confiscated.
It states: "The violation of the Plaintiffs' constitutional rights was the result not only of a single bad actor, Lowe, but also due to a systemic failure on behalf of the Clark County Sheriff who failed to properly staff the jail, train the jail officers, and supervise the jail officers to make sure they maintained adequate security at the jail."
The Clark County jail, formally called the Michael L. Becher Adult Correctional Complex, is situated about two miles north of Louisville in Jeffersonville.
According to its website, prison officers ensure inmates are "treated respectfully" and can take part in classes including the "Women's Abuse Recovery Group".
Sheriff Noel is yet to comment publicly on the legal action against him.
The Clark County Sheriff's Department has been contacted for comment. Previously they said they wouldn't comment on upcoming lawsuits, News and Tribune reports.
www.newsweek.com/clark-county-jail-indiana-prison-rape-sexual-assault-lawsuit-clark-county-sheriff-1728341
Some articles say that there were cameras that covered the areas but nobody intervened for at least two hours. Other reports below:
usaherald.com/female-inmates-attacked-and-raped-by-male-inmates-sue-clark-county-jail/
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11055269/Twenty-eight-female-inmates-raped-assaulted-male-prisoners-bribed-officer.html
Female inmates say they were raped, assaulted and threatened on the night of October 23, 2021, according to a new lawsuit.
Eight woman filed legal action against Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, and a number of former and current Clark County Jail employees, on July 22.
They allege jail officer David Lowe was paid $1,000 by two male prisoners in exchange for access to secure areas of the prison.
The following night the two detainees, along with other male prisoners, reportedly went into an area of the jail housing women and carried out several assaults.
The lawsuit states: "Numerous male detainees used the keys obtained from Lowe to enter Pods 4(E) and 4(F), where they raped, assaulted, harassed, threatened and intimidated the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, and other women, for several hours, resulting in significant physical and emotional injuries."
According to the lawsuit the women were threatened with additional abuse if they pressed an emergency call alarm.
Prison officer David Lowe was fired and arrested in the days following the alleged attacks, according to WDRB. He has been charged with trafficking with an inmate and aiding escape, and is due to face criminal jury trial in September.
In June, a separate lawsuit was filed by 20 women against Lowe, Noel and a number of prison officers.
Speaking to WTHR, Bart Betteau, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, said: "Women were harassed, sexually assaulted, threatened and completely terrified.
"When I met with each and every one of these women, and they broke down repeatedly, you get the impression, the understanding of what these women went through."
When the first lawsuit was filed, Scottie Maples, Clark County Sheriff's Department chief deputy, said the rape allegations had been investigated internally and no charges filed.
The July lawsuit also claims female prisoners were punished after reporting their alleged abuse, with lights left on for 72 hours straight whilst pillows and blankets were confiscated.
It states: "The violation of the Plaintiffs' constitutional rights was the result not only of a single bad actor, Lowe, but also due to a systemic failure on behalf of the Clark County Sheriff who failed to properly staff the jail, train the jail officers, and supervise the jail officers to make sure they maintained adequate security at the jail."
The Clark County jail, formally called the Michael L. Becher Adult Correctional Complex, is situated about two miles north of Louisville in Jeffersonville.
According to its website, prison officers ensure inmates are "treated respectfully" and can take part in classes including the "Women's Abuse Recovery Group".
Sheriff Noel is yet to comment publicly on the legal action against him.
The Clark County Sheriff's Department has been contacted for comment. Previously they said they wouldn't comment on upcoming lawsuits, News and Tribune reports.
www.newsweek.com/clark-county-jail-indiana-prison-rape-sexual-assault-lawsuit-clark-county-sheriff-1728341
Some articles say that there were cameras that covered the areas but nobody intervened for at least two hours. Other reports below:
usaherald.com/female-inmates-attacked-and-raped-by-male-inmates-sue-clark-county-jail/
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11055269/Twenty-eight-female-inmates-raped-assaulted-male-prisoners-bribed-officer.html
