SANTA FE – Current and former employees of a state prison have reached a $2.5 million settlement with the state to resolve allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Thursday that six female correctional officers filed a civil rights complaint in 2015 describing the state prison in Los Lunas where they worked as a “sexualized, violent environment.”
The plaintiffs say male colleagues would expose themselves, shared graphic pictures and videos, made derogatory comments and inappropriately touched them.
According to the lawsuit, the women say supervisors were aware of the situation but did not take appropriate action.
The state Corrections Department has denied the allegations and said the settlement was reached to avoid a costly legal battle.
Spokesmen for the state didn’t respond to requests for comment.