Nov. 10--FIRST OF THREE PARTS
The allegations are contained in lawsuits, medical records and a consultant report available in files at federal and state courts. Some victims have won cases at trial, including inmates awarded more than
But more often,
The largest single settlement involves a
And
According to county records, settlements between early 2008 to the present amounted to
Settlements always include a gag order that forbids recipients to disparage
Several people who have settled, including Sanabria and McEvoy's parents, who live in
In settlement papers,
Jail Superintendent
"That's a county business decision," he said of settlements. "It's probably cheaper to settle. Sometimes you have to stand up because they'll keep coming if you don't.
"There are county decisions that have to be made (to settle). I understand that," he said.
Neither the jail nor its medical unit are accredited by national organizations that review operations and determine whether they meet industry standards.
Dionne said the jail follows the standards required by the
"Why, so we have to pay the extra money to have a piece of paper?" he said.
Dionne said some corrections officers have lost their jobs in the past over the treatment of inmates. But for the most part, the jail is properly run and inmates are treated properly. Many leave the jail better than they were when they entered, given the opportunity to receive education, medical care and a respite from drugs and alcohol, he said.
"It better not," he said when asked whether inmates are abused at
He said corrections officers work in a facility populated by criminals, many of whom have mental health problems. On occasion, a corrections officer will have feces or urine thrown on him or her, Dionne said.
The jail has won some cases, including four recent cases that went to trial.
All involved inmates awaiting trial on felony-level sexual assault charges involving children; the inmates claimed assault by guards. Dionne said the jail has taken several steps in the last 10 years to improve security and reduce the potential for lawsuits:
-- In 2002-03, cameras were installed throughout much of the jail, including in the day rooms -- large rooms with chairs and tables where inmates congregate when outside their cells.
The jail installed the cameras after female inmates filed lawsuits claiming sexual abuse by corrections officers, he said.
None of the suits was successful, but a corrections officer quit because he said he did not want to put his family through such an ordeal again, Dionne said.
-- Two or three years ago, the jail changed its procedures for the way that corrections officers enter an inmate's cell.
Previously, an inmate was instructed to go to the rear of the cell, stand, face the wall and follow instructions while the corrections officers searched the cell or took other actions, Dionne said.
Several lawsuits claim beatings took place inside the cell, beyond the view of cameras. Now the inmate kneels at the front of the cell when a search takes place.
-- Dionne said corrections officers log all activity in journals. However, journal entries are recorded on paper. For several years, Dionne has sought
"Everybody's a possible lawsuit against us, everybody that comes in here," Dionne said.
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By Mark Hayward, The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester |