×
You have 2 more free articles available this month. Subscribe today.
CBCC Associate Superintendent Resigns
The November 26, 1996, edition of the Peninsula Daily News reported that Lisa Wikstrom, a guard at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center in Washington had filed a $1 million damage claim against the state, claiming she had been sexually harassed. Wikstrom's claim stated that Steve Sowers, associate superintendent at CBCC, had sent her letters, cards and money to "weaken (her) resistance of his sexual intentions." Sowers resigned in November, 1996. Wikstrom said she was led to believe that she would be denied promotions if she did not submit to Sower's lascivious sexual advances. As a result of the unwanted harassment Wikstrom claimed she suffered mental and emotional suffering. Neither Sowers nor anyone with the Attorney General's office (who is defending the state) nor the DOC would comment on Wikstrom's claim.
Sower's resignation amidst Wikstrom's claim came after his speedy rise through the DOC bureaucracy, he went from sergeant to associate superintendent in the space of two years. In 1991 then Sgt. Sowers infracted PLN editor Paul Wright for writing 'Clallam Bay Prisoner Brutalized" [PLN Feb. 1991], which detailed the beatings of black prisoners by white guards there. The infraction was eventually dismissed. So much for the defenders of state brutality.
Sower's resignation amidst Wikstrom's claim came after his speedy rise through the DOC bureaucracy, he went from sergeant to associate superintendent in the space of two years. In 1991 then Sgt. Sowers infracted PLN editor Paul Wright for writing 'Clallam Bay Prisoner Brutalized" [PLN Feb. 1991], which detailed the beatings of black prisoners by white guards there. The infraction was eventually dismissed. So much for the defenders of state brutality.
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login