CHARLESTON – A former inmate is suing a correctional officer of the West Virginia Division of Corrections for sexual abuse during her stay at Lakin Correctional Center.
Sara Hamlet was sexually harassed, sexually abused and sexually exploited by C.O. Carwood and an unknown, unnamed individual, according to a complaint filed March 23 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Hamlet claims Carwood and John Doe made remarks to her, seeking sexual favors and engaged in sexual abuse visited upon her.
Each act of unwelcome verbal, non-verbal, physical and visual sexual harassment and sexual abuse took place while she was under Carwood's direct supervision, according to the suit.
Hamlet claims Doe held rank above Carwood.
Doe willfully failed to supervise, discipline, deter and to recommend discharge of sexually abusive staff members at the facility, according to the suit. Instead, Doe was deliberately indifferent to the substantial danger that Carwood posed to the plaintiff.
Hamlet is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Michael A. Woelfel.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 15-C-578