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| Conn. Gov. Urged to Take Action on Sexual Harassment Allegations in Prisons |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 09/30/2002 |
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Women's groups and labor unions called on Gov. John G. Rowland Monday to intervene in a dispute involving allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation in Connecticut's prisons. In a letter to the governor, the organizations claim Correction Commissioner John Armstrong has not taken meaningful steps to address ''the pervasive sexually hostile environment'' within the system, despite his promises to do so. Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, co-chairwoman of the legislature's Labor and Public Employees Committee, said the situation has worsened in recent weeks. She said some female guards who came forward with allegations told her they fear for their safety because of possible retaliation from male superiors and co-workers. ''This has got to stop,'' Prague said. ''The commissioner has got to do his job and the governor has got to back him up.'' Some of the women are planning to testify about their sexual harassment allegations Thursday at a public hearing before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The hearing is part of the CHRO's process for determining if the Correction Department's affirmative action office properly handled sexual harassment complaints. Chris Cooper, Rowland's press secretary, said Armstrong met with Prague and various groups about the harassment allegations and has taken immediate and appropriate actions. Armstrong and Rowland, Cooper said, take the matter seriously. DOC requires sexual harassment prevention training for all new employees, as well as refresher courses for older employees. Statements have been attached to employees' paychecks reminding them about the policy and a video is shown to workers. The DOC also is working with the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women to revamp its policies. In July, Armstrong said the agency planned to hire an independent consultant to review harassment cases. Disciplinary action has also been taken against some supervisors. Cooper said CHRO is the proper body to investigate any further allegations. ''We look forward to that hearing and any recommendation that might come from it,'' Cooper said. ''In the past the commissioner has implemented recommendations from CHRO and really, at this time, that's exactly where these complaints should be.'' Asked about the issue after giving a speech to a business group in Bridgeport, Rowland said there are plenty of independent agencies that can investigate harassment charges. ''There's probably about 10 different venues to make a report,'' Rowland said, citing the CHRO, the chief state's attorney's office and local law enforcement as examples. ''Take your pick.'' The groups calling for Rowland to intervene include the National Organization for Women, Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services and the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund. They want Rowland to call on Armstrong to hire an independent, impartial person to investigate and report on sexual harassment complaints filed within the department. They want another independent person hired to investigate the department's affirmative action program and recommend changes. They also want to make sure offenders are properly disciplined and that certain DOC policies regarding complaints are changed. The groups said they made the requests to Armstrong in a Sept. 12 letter but did not receive a response. Department of Correction spokeswoman Karen Oien said the department has been preparing a response, in consultation with DOC attorneys. ''The department has long maintained and enforced a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment and has disciplined those who have violated that policy,'' Oien said. ''Retaliation against those who report such behavior is taken just as seriously.'' Fifteen female prison guards filed lawsuits against several Correction Department officials last month, claiming the officials didn't do enough to stop sexual harassment by male co-workers. The female guards claim Armstrong and other high-ranking officials ignored harassment reports, cultivating a ''code of silence'' about sexual harassment within the department. |
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