The women, who are courageous enough to come
forward with these stories, also shared that male detainees
were dictating to the department that they
wanted to be assigned female officers — and they often
got their way. Moreover, the correction officers expressed
their dismay at the lack of resources, services
and care for the victims of these lewd actions. In the
era of #MeToo, we will never accept sexual assault,
abuse or harassment in society, so why should female
correction officers tolerate these heinous acts that
take place inside our jails, away from the public eye?
The humanitarian crisis on Rikers Island has become
an utter disaster. Fourteen detainees have now
died under the city’s watch, including six suicides, and
the conditions are so dangerous that even more lives
are at risk. The lack of medical attention, food, showers
and basic services has only exacerbated the state
of emergency. Yet, while much of the attention has
been rightly focused on the pain and suffering of those
who are incarcerated, we must not forget or overlook
the health and safety of correction officers who are
working double and triple tours, sleeping in their cars
between shifts and experiencing sexual violence from
detainees. Their plight does not receive nearly enough
recognition or widespread indignation, but correction
officers deserve dignity and respect, too.
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2021 15
OP-ED
It’s time to shine a light on sexual
assaults against correction offi cers
BY ADRIENNE ADAMS
As the daughter of a longtime correction officer,
who then retired as a captain in the department, I
grew up hearing the stories of what it’s like to work
in our city’s correctional facilities. My mother, who
passed away this past February, worked hard to support
my family, often taking on double shifts to ensure
that my sister and I had everything we needed.
Like my mother, almost half of all correction officers
are women of color, and a large percentage are single
parents who are providing for their families to the
best of their abilities.
That’s why I was outraged and infuriated when a
group of women correction officers met with me to
detail the horrors they faced on a daily basis on Rikers
Island. Officers have been sexually assaulted, harassed,
molested, and have had fluids thrown at them
by detainees. One woman was even groped while
pregnant. The women correction officers described
how traumatized, humiliated and disrespected they
have felt for years. They have been emotionally and
physically violated, yet they felt overwhelmingly ignored
by the Department of Correction and other authorities
who failed to respond with the proper sense
of urgency.
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Part of the problem is that the Department of Correction
does not publicly report on the sheer volume
of sexual violence that takes place inside our jails,
whether it’s against detainees or staff. That needs to
change. Another issue is that not enough detainees
who commit these degrading acts are held accountable.
According to the Correction Officer’s Benevolent
Association, since Jan. 1, 24 DOC employees have
been victims of sexual assault by detainees. Of those
24 workers, 17 were correction officers, 16 of whom
were women, and the others were correction captains
or civilian employees. Only 13 perpetrators were rearrested,
and just six cases led to an indictment.
Unsurprisingly, correction officers don’t feel as
if these inflictions that are occurring in their workplace
lead to sufficient consequences. They don’t feel
supported after these traumatizing experiences. We
cannot accept that status quo. That is why I intend to
introduce legislative measures to increase the penalties
for sexual assaults and harassment committed
against correction officers. We need to make it clear
to correction officers and detainees that dehumanizing
actions are not acceptable and will lead to serious
repercussions, no matter where they take place.
We need to collectively shine a brighter light on
this ongoing crisis inside our already disastrous
jails. We can no longer leave correction officers, especially
women who have been subjected to repeated
attacks, in the dark. They deserve safety and justice
just like everyone else, and it’s time to step up and
protect them from this deplorable behavior.
Council member Adrienne Adams represents District
28 in Queens. She chairs the Public Safety Committee
and co-chairs the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus,
and is a member of the Women’s Caucus.
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