A group of people gathered outside the Minnesota Department of Corrections office in St. Paul on Thursday, demanding justice for an alleged sexual assault of an inmate in the state.
The alleged assault of Angela Jackson occurred at a Shakopee Women's prison on April 13 when a corrections officer who was working sexually assaulted her while she was handcuffed in segregation, according to Phillip Holmes with Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee.
Keesha Taylor was present outside the office in St. Paul on Thursday. Her daughter is a current inmate in Shakopee, and she shared that she is standing in solidarity with Jackson.
Taylor also said that she is scared for her own daughter's well-being and safety after hearing of the assault.
Holmes shared that Jackson has yet to be interviewed by the authorities, but the prison has reported they are conducting an internal investigation.
But those gathered are demanding more, as they say, there is a video of the assault that needs to be released, along with the corrections officer being terminated.
However, the agency has said in a statement that it is taking it seriously, and that it will continue its investigation, despite local prosecutors declining to file charges.
“We always have and always will take allegations of misconduct seriously. But the demands by this group reflect a lack of understanding of the legal process that must guide our actions. Any decision we make must be based on an investigation to establish facts based on evidence,” the Minnesota Department of Corrections said in a statement. “And our actions are subject to review through the grievance and legal process. If we rush a decision, any action we take could be overturned – so it’s in everyone’s best interest for us to be thorough.”
This story has been updated with a statement from the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
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