NEWPORT, Ark. (KTHV) - The Justice Department has decided to open up an investigation on the McPherson Women's Prison in Newport, after receiving several allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment from its staff.
Officials with the Justice Department will focus their investigation on whether women at McPherson have been subjected to the allegations issued, and on whether the treatment of transgender prisoners has been appropriate.
Reports state that staff members with McPherson have been engaging in sexual intercourse and other sexual acts with prisoners, along with exchanging commissary money for sexual favors, inappropriately watching prisoners while they shower or change, commenting on their private parts and taking photos or videos for reasons unrelated to correctional goals.
"Staff sexual abuse of prisoners violates the constitutional rights of prisoners, undermines prison safety and security and can lead to other crimes," said the head of the Civil Rights Division, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta. "This investigation furthers the Justice Department's goal of zero-tolerance for sexual abuse and sexual harassment in our nation's jails and prisons. We hope to work cooperatively with the state of Arkansas in conducting our inquiry and ensuring that prisoners in its custody are not being sexually abused."
