SAFFORD — Graham County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating allegations by two jail inmates that they were sexually harassed by a corrections officer.
The male inmates each made a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) complaint on July 29.
In separate conversations with deputies, both inmates allege the male corrections officer brought a towel to their bunk beds, put on rubber gloves and said, “Cavity search. Who wants to go first?” and then walk away. One of the complainants said he was uncomfortable due to the officer not being straight.
When asked, one of the inmates said the officer had not made any similar comments subsequent to the incident under investigation.
A third inmate said he saw the corrections officer put on gloves, but could not hear what the officer said.
Video surveillance showed the officer toss a towel onto one of the beds and put on gloves. There is no report the video shows any physical activity between the officer and the inmates.
