Sexual Harassment Suit Filed by Female Prison Employees
The Florida Department of Corrections faces a lawsuit from more than 100 female employees alleging sexual harassment from male inmates under the Civil Rights Act, which provides the right for employees to be free from sex discrimination and harassment in the workplace. According to a recent article in The Miami Herald, the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, described “conduct so hostile, notorious and commonplace that it is referred to by prison staff and inmates as ‘gunning.’”
The suit follows a recent jury award of $1.6 million for female workers who faced similar treatment by inmates. Walter McNeil, Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections, acknowledged that such incidents do occur in the workplace, but assured that steps were being taken to protect female employees. For example, last year, the Florida Department of Corrections changed its rules to make intentional exposure of genitals or masturbating by an inmate result in 60 days in disciplinary confinement and the loss of 90 days of gain time.
