Women sue correctional officer, Division of Corrections for sexual misconduct

CHARLESTON -- Two women who were incarcerated in the Lakin Correctional Center are suing the West Virginia Division of Corrections, a correctional officer and others after they claim they were sexually assaulted, abused and harassed.

In one complaint, Jillia Mays was deprived of rights, privileges and immunities during her incarceration from March to August 2008, according to a complaint filed May 5 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Mays claims during her incarceration David Francis sexually assaulted, sexually abused and sexually harassed her.

Mays claims the defendants negligently allowed Francis' conduct.

The defendants negligently failed to supervise Francis and John Doe; negligently failed to properly train Francis and Doe; negligently retained employment of Francis and Doe; negligently hired Francis and Doe; negligently staffed Lakin Correctional Center; and negligently failed to intervene on Mays' behalf, according to the suit.

Mays is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Kerry A. Nessel.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

In the second complaint, Christiana Shook was deprived of rights, privileges and immunities during her incarceration from 2006 to 2009, according to a complaint filed May 6 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Shook claims during her incarceration C.O. Martin and David Francis sexually assaulted, sexually abused and sexually harassed her.

Shook claims the defendants negligently allowed Francis and Martin's conduct.

The defendants negligently failed to supervise Francis, Martin and John Doe; negligently failed to properly train Francis, Martin and Doe; negligently retained employment of Francis, Martin and Doe; negligently hired Francis, Martin and Doe; negligently staffed Lakin Correctional Center; and negligently failed to intervene on Shook's behalf, according to the suit.

Shook is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Michael A. Woelfel.

The Shook case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case numbers: 10-C-831 (Mays) and 10-C-833 (Shook)