Crime & Safety
Lawsuit Alleges LGBTQ Harassment, Retaliation At State Corrections Facility In Vacaville
BREAKING: A psychologist at California Medical Facility says she was harassed after complaining about treatment of gay, transgender inmates.
SOLANO COUNTY, CA -- A psychologist at the California Medical Facility at Vacaville has sued the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for alleged harassment and retaliation because she complained about mistreatment of LGBTQ prisoners. Lori Jespersen, 41, a licensed psychologist who has worked at the
Vacaville facility since 2009, sued the CDCR and several officials in federal court in Sacramento on Monday.
Her lawsuit contends that she filed numerous complaints about derogatory comments, hostility and harassment of gay and transgender inmates by prison staff members and most of the complaints were ignored.
Jespersen also alleges she was subjected to "escalating discrimination, harassment and retaliation" because of her own gender identity and her advocacy. She identifies herself in the lawsuit as gender-nonconforming, gender-queer and lesbian.
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She alleges that a hostile correctional officer endangered her life by locking her in a unit without a safety alarm with a serial rapist in December 2014, locking her in with two prisoners in March 2015 and making
comments that appeared to solicit violence against her by prisoners.
The lawsuit alleges that after she took a month of medical leave in June 2016, Jespersen was put in a desk job where "she remains in fear for her safety."
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The lawsuit asks for an injunction requiring the department to cease the alleged practices and for financial compensation for Jespersen.
The legal claims in the case include a hostile work environment, retaliation, discrimination and violation of the right of free speech.
CDCR spokeswoman Vicky Waters said she could not comment on the lawsuit because the department does not comment on pending litigation.
The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller. Jennifer Orthwein, a lawyer for Jespersen, said she did not know how soon there will be a hearing on the case.
The Vacaville facility houses about 2,500 male prisoners who have medical, psychiatric and dental health needs, according to the CDCR's website.
By Bay City News Service
Photo: CDCR.gov