CHARLESTON -- A former inmate at Lakin Correctional Center in Mason County is suing the West Virginia Division of Corrections for negligence after she claims she was sexually assaulted and sexually abused by correctional officers.
Brandi Meade was incarcerated at Lakin Corrections Center from 2006 until 2009 and claims during that time she was sexually assaulted and sexually abused by C.O. Crawford, C.O. Reese and C.O. Smithson, according to a complaint filed Oct. 29 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Meade claims John Doe and the Division of Corrections negligently allowed the correctional officers' conduct.
The correctional officers' conduct was "reprehensible, willful and wanton, malicious and in blatant and intentional disregard of plaintiff's rights," according to the suit.
Meade claims the defendants caused her to suffer anxiety; humiliation; annoyance and inconvenience; invasion of privacy; emotional distress; pain and suffering; mental anguish; loss of her ability to enjoy life; future medical and pharmaceutical expenses; and other damages.
The West Virginia Division of Corrections negligently failed to supervise the correctional officers; negligently failed to properly train them; negligently retained their employment; negligently hired them; negligently staffed Lakin Correctional Center; and negligently failed to intervene on Meade's behalf, according to the suit.
Meade is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Michael A. Woelfel.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-1942
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