Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Sunday, January 07, 2007

$225,000 Settlement For Female Colorado Prisoner Raped by Guard

$225,000 Settlement For Female Colorado Prisoner Raped by Guard
PLN Article - $225,000 Settlement For Female Colorado Prisoner Raped By Guard
Article Link : www.prisonlegalnews.org

Article :
From the Dec. 2006 issue of Prison Legal News!
$225,000 Settlement For Female Colorado Prisoner Raped By Guard
In August 2005, Penifer Salinas, a female Colorado Department of Correction (CDOC) prisoner at Denver Women’s Correctional Facility (DWCF) entered into a proposed $225,000 settlement with the State of Colorado. The settlement was a result of a Federal civil rights claim alleging a sexual assault against her by former CDOC guard David Christensen. Salinas alleged that Christensen violated her Fourteenth Amendment rights by failing to keep her free from physical abuse, sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Salinas also named as co defendants DWCF Warden Joanie Shoemaker, Captain Christopher Phillips and guard Terry Unruh for engaging in retaliation against her and attempting to cover up not only this assault but prior assaults against women prisoners by Christensen.
Salinas’ complaint, filed on November 8, 2004, alleged that she was raped and sexually abused by Christensen in April of 2002, although she didn’t report the incident until August of 2002, fearing retaliation by guards. The assault caused physical and mental injuries which were never treated. After reporting the rape, Salinas claimed that guards retaliated against her by being repeatedly strip searched, having all mail (including legal mail) opened and read by guards, termination of rape advocate visits, and having her mother’s letters returned.
Upon reporting the retaliation, guard Terry Unruh called Salinas a “liar” and stated “none of her officers” would engage in such behavior and that she had “made her own bed.” Captain Phillips was alleged to have covered up Christensen’s prior inappropriate sexual behavior with other female prisoners and failed to discipline him because he was a personal friend.
Christensen was subsequently convicted of sexual assault upon Salinas and was sentenced to an indeterminate term of incarceration between five years and the remainder of his natural life. Such sentence in Colorado also carries a mandatory term of parole with a minimum of ten years up to the remainder of natural life.
The Release and Settlement Agreement was publicly disclosed pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), stating that Salinas’ civil rights claim was dismissed with prejudice by stipulation of the parties. Salinas agreed not to bring further suit in this matter. The settlement also stated that neither party was admitting to “any wrongful or improper actions, but rather reflects the parties’ desire to resolve this matter amicably without additional expense or litigation.” Per the settlement agreement, fees and costs were borne by the parties. See: Salinas v. Christensen, USDC D CO, Case No. 04 MK 209(OES).

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