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AGENCY TESTIMONY

Scale of sexual abuse problem and DOI's responsibilities

3:08:08

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Commissioner Strauber addresses the alarming scale of sexual abuse allegations in DOC facilities and outlines DOI's responsibilities in addressing these issues.

Over 700 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of women in DOC custody have been filed
DOI actively responds to and investigates allegations of sexual abuse by DOC or CHS staff
DOI provides information to agencies for disciplinary actions and has made recommendations to improve DOC policies

Jocelyn Strauber

3:08:08

The allegations of sexual abuse of women in the custody of DOC Facilities by DOC correction officers set forth in over 700 lawsuits filed earlier this year are horrifying.

3:08:21

The city has a responsibility to keep safe, all persons within DOC custody, and the decades long abuse alleged, if true, even in part, reflects that the city has failed to meet that responsibility.

3:08:35

DOI plays an active role in responding to and investigating allegations that DOC or correctional health services, CHS, staff have sexually abused persons in custody.

3:08:47

DOI receives and reviews all complaints of such abuse, conducts investigations, and when there is sufficient evidence of criminality, makes referrals to prosecuting agencies.

3:08:59

For reasons that I will describe in a moment, these types of cases can be challenging to investigate.

3:09:04

DOE is committed to assisting DOC in its mission to eradicate sexual abuse in the city's jails.

3:09:11

Where DOC or CHS seeks to discipline or terminate an employee as a result of a sexual abuse or misconduct investigation.

3:09:20

DOE provides the relevant agency with information from our investigative file and assists their efforts as needed.

3:09:28

DOI also has made over 30 recommendations to DOC in the past decade to improve DOC policies and procedures that are designed to prevent abuse.

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Introduction and overview of DOI's role in DOC oversight

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PREA standards and DOC Directive 5011