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| Conn. Detention Center Workers File Civil Rights Complaint |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 08/05/2003 |
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Workers at Connecticut's juvenile detention center have filed a federal civil rights complaint alleging sexual harassment and unsafe working conditions. The complaint was submitted July 28 to the U.S. Department of Education by more than 120 teachers, youth officers and clinicians at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, The Hartford Courant reported in its July 29 editions. The workers, who are requesting an immediate investigation, say in the complaint that boys at the detention center have repeatedly sexually harassed staff, assaulted them or threatened complaints of abuse against employees. Boys at the school, which is run by the state Department of Children and Families, have no fear of punishment or discipline, the complaint says. That's because the 240-bed, high-security detention center has no effective policies on sexual harassment or on false allegations made by juveniles, the workers say. ''Good, hard-working and dedicated people are being damaged both physically and emotionally,'' labor union leaders said in a prepared statement Monday. ''DCF management has not addressed the issues, nor have they taken them seriously. Assaults, harassment and an unsafe environment are pervasive problems that require immediate attention.'' The complaint was endorsed by about half of the school's approximately 300 full-time employees. All the boys who live there have been convicted as juvenile delinquents. The boys receive education, therapy and counseling as part of their confinement and treatment. DCF spokesman Gary Kleeblatt said the agency is taking steps to make sure all of its employees are safe. ''We take the concerns of staff extremely seriously,'' Kleeblatt said recently. ''Sexual harassment is a very serious issue. We've already begun working with staff to address their concerns and we will continue to do that. We know the staff there has extremely demanding responsibilities and they deserve our support; part of that is having a safe workplace so they can be effective in doing their jobs.'' Concerns about workplace safety and a lack of clearly defined policies and protocols for employees date back to October 2001, shortly after the $57 million school opened. But the issues reached a crescendo in June when union leaders felt school and state officials mishandled the sexual assault of a female staff member and a sexual assault complaint against a female staff member by a student. |
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