Free Prison Workers From Harassment

When dozens of female employees filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections alleging they were subjected to a hostile, repulsive work environment, they wanted one thing: to be heard.

Now that these women have scored a series of victories as their cases have gone to trial, state leaders should respond quickly to the disgraceful conditions in state prisons.

Last week, a federal jury in Fort Pierce awarded $600,000 to 12 nurses, a doctor and a classification officer who alleged that male inmates were allowed to expose themselves, masturbate and shout sexual obscenities as the women went about their duties. The verdict follows one last year from Panama City in which the department was ordered to pay nearly $1 million to a group of female employees subjected to the same demeaning environment. A third verdict came in an Ocala case where a jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff, but awarded no damages.

Panama City Attorney C. Wes Pittman, who brought the cases, says the prison system was responsible for this hostile work environment because male corrections officers looked the other way or laughed when the inmates tormented the women. On the other hand, inmates who dare violate a rule involving a male corrections officer were punished severely.

In not holding inmates accountable for their behavior, prison officials condoned and indeed encouraged male inmates to abuse female workers.

No woman goes into a male prison expecting it to be like Sunday school. The problem goes far beyond an isolated, lewd comment. The test of professionalism in Florida's prisons will be its response.

It's telling that other states use Florida's inaction as an argument to justify severe punishments for inmates who harass female employees - including South Carolina, which punishes inmates who perform lewd acts in front of female employees by forcing them to wear pink prison garb, a tactic that seems to work.

Pittman says inmate sexual harassment is so pervasive within the system that another 93 cases may be filed. Even more troublesome, the attorney says he continues to receive new reports that these work conditions persist today.

Florida needs to send a strong message to women working in the prison system: We hear you and we will protect you.