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.
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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.”
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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.
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“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.”
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Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
Schultz said she “highly respects” Aspell, too, but there was a “dissonance between reality” when eyeing what the public and city employees were earning.
Ward 6 City Council Aislinn Kalob, too, would not be voting for the increase, saying it had been “heavily on my mind since we’ve had our nonpublic sessions,” which lasted about six hours of work. She appreciated Kretovic clearly outlining the job of city manager. But people were frustrated with the city manager, and she saw that in the comments in online forums.
“I do feel, after really digging into this, and learning about his job,” she said, “and thinking toward the future when, eventually, at some point, somebody new will be sitting in that seat, we are the ones who direct policy and he is the one that implements it… there is anger out there that should be directed more toward us.”
Kalob said, too, a room full of firefighters, upset about their contract, also made voting for the wage increase something she could not consider.
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Michele Horne of Ward 2 echoed similar concerns to Schultz, saying there was significant “wage disparity” between the public and staff and the city manager. She also agreed with Kalob’s point that previous councils created this contract.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
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So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
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What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
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10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
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This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
