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.