Plattsburgh Jail Faces Reforms After Harassment Claims

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Clinton County Jail is under the microscope after a scathing investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office (LEMIO) uncovered a pattern of sexual harassment, retaliation, and gender-based discrimination against female corrections officers (COs) and disturbing allegations of misconduct involving incarcerated women. The settlement reached between the Attorney General’s office, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), and Clinton County marks the first of its kind achieved by LEMIO with a county sheriff’s office.

The investigation, launched in February 2023 following a flood of complaints, revealed that as early as 2021, multiple female COs filed reports with the Clinton County Department of Personnel detailing persistent sexual harassment. These reports included accusations of unwanted physical contact, lewd sexual comments, and outright requests for sexual acts. Crucially, the Department of Personnel, while acknowledging the harassment occurred and identifying two male COs and a male sergeant as perpetrators, failed to adequately address the complaints as required by county policy. One male CO resigned, while the other two received discipline but remained on the job. Those who came forward reported facing retaliation and discouragement from reporting further incidents.

The rot didn’t stop there. LEMIO’s probe also unearthed disturbing allegations from formerly incarcerated women detailing misconduct by male jail employees. These accusations included instances of touching and groping intimate areas, intentional physical contact, and explicit sexual comments. While some complaints were initially acknowledged by the CCSO, investigators found a disturbing lack of documentation – no records of investigations, no memorialized findings, and missing grievance files. Personnel and former inmates alike reported filing or receiving grievances that seemingly vanished into thin air.

Attorney General James didn’t mince words. “Women corrections officers should never fear showing up to work and incarcerated women should not be afraid of the individuals responsible for their safety,” she stated. “This agreement puts Clinton County on the correct path forward to improve conditions and ensure a safe and secure environment for both corrections officers and incarcerated women.” The OAG investigation further determined the Clinton County Jail was in violation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), a federal law designed to combat sexual assault within correctional facilities.

Under the terms of the settlement, the CCSO is now obligated to implement sweeping changes. These include the appointment of an independent outside monitor to oversee reforms, full implementation of the PREA standards, and a commitment to bolstering internal policies and training to prevent future misconduct. The details of the independent monitor’s role and scope of authority are expected to be released in the coming weeks. The CCSO has also agreed to cooperate fully with the Attorney General’s office throughout the reform process.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and hold those responsible accountable. This case serves as a stark reminder that abuse of power and systemic failures can occur even within institutions tasked with upholding the law. The residents of Clinton County deserve better, and the women working and incarcerated within its jail system deserve a safe and respectful environment.