By AP/KWMU
Benton, Ill – Twelve female prison guards said Thursday in a lawsuit that they were sexually harassed by co-workers for over four years.
They say when they complained, co-workers retaliated with abuse or by forcing them to escort inmates unsafely.
The 52-page civil suit against the Illinois Department of Corrections seeks unspecified damages for the 12 women.
One of their lawyers, Courtney Cox, says eleven of them continue to work at Menard Correctional Center in Chester. One works at the Tamms "Supermax" Correctional Center.
Among the allegations listed in the complaint is that a female Menard guard was required to escort groups of sexual offenders to the showers alone.
A spokesman for the corrections department did not immediately return telephone messages left today by The Associated Press.