New Hampshire
Ten women allege female corrections officer in N.H. sexually assaulted, harassed them – The Boston Globe
CONCORD, N.H. — Ten women who allege they were subjected to sexually inappropriate behavior while in the custody of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections are suing a former corrections officer and the state.
The plaintiffs, who are identified in court records by pseudonyms, accuse officer Deborah J. Steele of violating their constitutional rights by taking invasive and unwarranted actions during roll calls, pat-downs, and urine testing at various times between 2003 and 2021 at the DOC’s Shea Farm, a transitional housing unit in Concord for women preparing for their full release from state custody.
The 10 lawsuits, which were filed separately Friday and Monday in Merrimack County Superior Court, allege that Steele invaded the plaintiffs’ privacy by requiring them to expose their nude bodies to her in situations when doing so was unnecessary and inconsistent with the practice of other officers.
One plaintiff alleges Steele looked in her direction and “made a lustful ‘cat call’ like sound” when she accidentally dropped a towel and partially exposed her body after a shower.
During pat-down searches, residents of Shea Farm were required to disrobe to their undergarments so corrections officers could determine whether they had any hidden contraband. Steele would sometimes require plaintiffs to undress completely, according to the lawsuits.
While officers are allowed to use the back of their hand to search sensitive areas during a pat-down, Steele would typically use the palm and front of her hand to rub the plaintiffs’ thighs, “often” touched their genitals with her finger or thumb, and “frequently” cupped their breasts with her hands, according to the lawsuits.
“No other corrections officers at Shea Farm conducted body pat searches … using the same method as Officer Steele,” one lawsuit states.
Steele is also accused of taking a particularly invasive approach during random drug screenings. While observing a resident urinate into a collection container, she “often” placed her face within 2 feet of their genitals, sometimes so close that residents could feel her breath, according to the lawsuits.
The plaintiff whose lawsuit recounted the alleged “cat call” incident also alleges that Steele used her fingers intentionally to penetrate the plaintiff’s vaginal opening in 2011 while removing a permanent piercing ring. Afterward, she allegedly “walked away giggling.”
Steele has not yet responded to the allegations against her. Efforts to reach her for comment on Wednesday were unsuccessful.
The lawsuits claim the DOC is liable for Steele’s alleged conduct, and they allege the department was negligent in training and supervising its employees.
The lawsuits allege that plaintiffs complained about Steele’s behavior and wrote grievances but were ignored or otherwise disregarded. They allege an inmate at Shea Farm filed a formal grievance against Steele in or around March 2022 that triggered an investigation under the Prison Rape Elimination Act, or PREA.
The lawsuits said Steele was a DOC employee from 1996 until 2021. A spokesperson for the DOC declined Wednesday to comment on personnel matters, including the nature and timing of Steele’s departure.
The spokesperson said the DOC doesn’t tolerate sexual harassment or abuse; that staffers, contractors, and volunteers receive annual training on their responsibilities under DOC policy and the PREA; and that the DOC audits facilities for compliance with PREA standards.
“All allegations of misconduct are taken with the seriousness that they deserve and are thoroughly investigated by a highly trained team of investigators,” the spokesperson said. “When warranted, swift action is taken by the department to address all founded matters of misconduct, including but not limited to sexual abuse, battery, and harassment, and is done in consultation with the NH Department of Justice.”
The DOC spokesperson referred questions about the lawsuits to the New Hampshire Department of Justice. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment on pending litigation and said attorneys for the state will respond in court after reviewing the filings.
An attorney for the plaintiffs, Brittany L. LeTourneau of the Nicholson Law Firm in Concord, said the DOC either knew or should have known that these women were being victimized and could have prevented the harm from happening.
“We hope the civil process promotes change within Department of Corrections to protect New Hampshire’s incarcerated women from sexual assaults and harassment,” she said, “and that this process results in accountability for the harm done to them.”
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
New Hampshire
Longtime Blue Jays organization member Tamargo tasked with leading New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Are you ready for your mornings reimagined?
Hi! I’m Garret Doll (like Ken, but less hair and not as handsome), and I’m teaming up with Katie Killourhy for 97.5 WOKQ’s new morning show, Garret & Katie in the Morning!
You ready to join us?
So, Who Is Garret Doll?
I’ve learned something about myself… I don’t like clutter. Unless it’s my clutter. Then it’s not clutter, it’s a system.
That’s probably a pretty accurate starting point for who I am. A little self-aware, a little stubborn, and definitely someone who knows what he likes. I like tacos, steak tips and lobster rolls. (Fun fact: I’ve never had a lobster roll until moving here.)
How It All Started
This whole radio thing started for me when I was 15. My mom helped me land a job at a radio station in my hometown (cause she worked there), and I fell in love with radio. I’ve never left this career.
I’ve spent my entire adult life doing this job, and I still feel like I lucked into the best job in the world. No two days are the same. One minute you’re talking about life, the next you’re playing your favorite songs, then suddenly you’re out in the community meeting people who feel like friends you’ve known forever.
Most of my career took me to places like Denver, Charleston, and Richmond. Now, somehow, it’s brought me here to New Hampshire.
Honestly, I look at it like a “this is exactly where I’m supposed to be” moment. It’s a new start on life, so to speak. You will learn more about that as we get to know each other and you listen to the show on 97.5 WOKQ.
Why WOKQ Matters to Me
WOKQ is one of those stations you hear about in radio. It’s got history. It’s got heart. And it’s built around a community that actually cares about local connection and country music throughout New England.
That matters to me.
I don’t want to just “be on the radio.” I want to be part of what’s happening here. The towns, the events, the random conversations at a bar, the places you tell your friends they have to check out.
That’s the fun part of all of this.
What I’m All About
I’m a pretty simple dude:
I’m the guy who would give you the shirt off my back
Glass half full (even when it probably shouldn’t be)
Always smiling
Authentic… sometimes too authentic
And yeah, there are definitely moments where I say something before thinking it all the way through.
So if you ever hear me and think, “Did he really just say that?” There’s a decent chance the answer is yes.
Some Quick Hits About Me
Coffee order: Americano
Drink Order: Old Fashioned or just a good local beer
Favorite food: Tacos (not even close)
Guilty pleasure show: The Big Bang Theory
Pet peeve: Close talkers… and people who are late
Random fact: I once got a tattoo of Dopey from the Seven Dwarfs because a girl I was dating wanted one. We got them together. (Don’t worry, it’s been covered up by a microphone and a rose… and I haven’t heard from her in about 20 years)
Let’s Do This Together
I’m new to town, which means I could really use your help.
Where’s your go-to spot when you just want to get outside? Best place to hike? Kayak? Local bar? Just disappear for a few hours?
READ MORE: Hidden Gems in New Hampshire: 5 Secret Places Worth Discovering
Drop me your favorites, because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the best recommendations don’t come from Google… they come from you! The ones who actually live it.
And I’m ready to start exploring and getting to know you. So make sure to tune in to Garret & Katie in the Morning! See you there.
BankNH Pavilion: Summer Show Lineup, 2026
Gallery Credit: Sarah Sullivan
HUDSON, N.H. — An animal cruelty investigation led to the arrest of two former tenants who police say left three cats behind in the apartment they were evicted from.
The Hudson Police Department said officers responded to 19 Oliver Drive on Nov. 25 after the town’s animal control officer received a report that multiple cats had been left behind in an apartment previously occupied by Faith Byers, 48, and Kevin Greene, 57.
The pair had reportedly been evicted a week earlier, on Nov. 18.
Police said that attempts to reach Byers and Greene by phone were unsuccessful, and the property owner later confirmed that the two had moved out without taking the cats or arranging for their care.
With the owner’s permission, police entered the apartment and found three cats alone inside the unoccupied residence.
Police said they determined the cats had been left unattended for several days in conditions lacking adequate airflow, sunlight, litter and consistent access to food or water. Police added that no care plan had been made for the animals, and neither former tenant indicated any intention to return for them.
The animals were safely removed and transported to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford, where they are now receiving care.
Arrest warrants were issued for Byers and Greene, who are each charged with one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor. They were arrested on Friday and released on personal recognizance bail.
They are scheduled to appear in 9th Circuit Court Nashua District Division at 1 p.m. April 28.
Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
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