ADOC responds to report of widespread sexual violence - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

ADOC responds to report of widespread sexual violence at Tutwiler Prison

Posted: Updated:
By John Shryock - bio | email
Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka
Guard tower at Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka Guard tower at Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka

  • More news

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:54:16 GMT
    Desmonte Leonard the man accused of murdering three people in Auburn last summer will have a status hearing on October 15th. At the last meeting both parties had expressed intentions to meet in August
    Desmonte Leonard, the man accused of murdering three people in Auburn last summer still has no expectation on when he will go to trial.

  • The Senate is debating cuts to the federally subsidized crop insurance program as it considers a massive farm bill this week.
    The farm bill the Senate is considering this week would cut some farm subsidies but also expand government-subsidized crop insurance, a safety net used by many farmers in case of bad weather or lost revenue.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:17:00 GMT
    People affected by the massive tornado that killed at least 51 people and destroyed parts of Oklahoma still do not know where their loved ones are, but many of them are using social media to find out.
    People affected by the massive tornado that killed at least 51 people and destroyed parts of Oklahoma still do not know where their loved ones are, but many are using social media to find out.
    •   
WETUMPKA, AL (WSFA) -

The Alabama Department of Corrections is issuing a statement following a non-profit organization's investigation and subsequent filing with the U.S. Department of Justice that claims Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka has a widespread pattern of officer-on-inmate sexual violence.

The Equal Justice Initiative, which says it provides representation to indigent and prisoners who have been denied fair legal treatment, filed the complaint Tuesday. It's seeking a full federal investigation.

The Department of Corrections said Tuesday morning it had no comment. Tuesday afternoon, Commissioner Kim Thomas acknowledged the EJI investigation and issued the following statement:

"This is a matter of grave concern to me. Sexual misconduct of any kind, including custodial sexual misconduct, is not tolerated by this Department. From the beginning of my watch, I have made it very clear to my staff that custodial sexual misconduct will not be tolerated and is an especially egregious offense to me.  We take every action possible to prevent it from happening and if it does, we undertake prompt corrective employee discipline and pursue criminal prosecution where applicable."

EJI says it interviewed more than 50 women incarcerated at the prison and uncovered a pattern of "frequent and severe officer-on-inmate sexual violence."

EJI says during the course of its investigation, it found that incarcerated inmates gave birth to children fathered out of rape by prison guards and that more than 20 Tutwiler employees have been transferred or fired in the last five years for illegal sexual contact with prisoners.

DOCUMENT: Read EJI's investigation]

The watchdog group also claims that that prison officials are under-reporting the number of sexual assault incidents and are intimidating inmates to prevent them from filing complaints.

"Rape and sexual assault of incarcerated women is criminal and an outrageous abuse of power," said EJI Executive Director Bryan Stevenson, who wrote the letter to the Justice Department. "Any failure by state and federal officials to respond quickly and appropriately to reports of sexual violence will contribute to tragic and shameful conditions of confinement for women."

[Copyright 2012  WSFA 12 News.  All rights reserved.

ADOC policy: zero-tolerance

Updated:

ADOC says it has a zero-tolerance for inmate sexual offenses and custodial sexual misconduct. "Departmental practices and procedures are in place to help identify, monitor, and track alleged sexual assaults