AFSCME Opposes Measure on Sexual Assault

AFSCME opposes a provision in a bill before the U.S. Congress that perpetuates a myth that female prisoners frequently fall victim to sexual abuse by male COs.

The Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff provision says sexual abuse of women prisoners by COs is a growing problem in the nation’s corrections facilities. It would prohibit all state departments of corrections from hiring corrections staff who have been convicted on criminal charges of custodial sexual misconduct or have been found liable in civil suits. Each state would provide the Department of Justice with the information it collects so that the department could maintain a national database.

AFSCME believes the proposed database is unnecessary because corrections facilities do not hire officers convicted of sexual misconduct and because the provision assumes that this is a common problem. State corrections facilities typically perform thorough background checks of prospective employees.

The assault provision is in legislation AFSCME otherwise supports, the Violence Against Women Act (H.R. 357). It would fund domestic violence programs on federal and state levels.