$10M Settlement In Prison Sex Abuse Case

Nine Female Prisoners Claim They Were Harrassed Or Coerced Into Sex

(CBS/AP)  A tentative settlement has been reached in a $10 million federal sexual-abuse lawsuit filed by nine former inmates of a state women's prison in Chesterfield County, including one who became pregnant.

The nine women at the 260-inmate prison alleged that between 2003 and 2006, male and female officers and one teacher coerced them into sexual acts or sexually harrassed them.

One of the plaintiffs was Sheron Montrey, a convicted murderer impregnated by a corrections officer in 2005. The officer, Bobby Brown Jr., subsequently was convicted of having sexual relations with an inmate, a felony. Montrey gave birth in February 2006.

In stories published in 2005, the Richmond Times-Dispatch first reported Montrey's pregnancy and allegations by several former Pocahontas inmates that they also had had sexual relations with employees.

The women said that such improper conduct was common, but when it was brought to the attention of authorities, those making the accusations often were transferred to other prisons.

Among the defendants in the suit are Tammy Estep, the former superintendent of Pocahontas, and Marilyn Hill, the former chief of security there. Both still are employees of the Virginia Department of Corrections.

A half dozen officers and an instructor, most if not all of them no longer state employees, also are named.

Hill could not be reached for comment. But her lawyer, John A. Gibney Jr., said, "although Major Hill believes she has done nothing wrong in this case, she is happy that the case is apparently over."

Gibney said the tentative settlement must be approved by all of the plaintiffs and by state officials. Shields said the process could take a couple of months.

Formerly known as the Pocahontas Correctional Unit, the prison is now called the Central Virginia Correctional Unit #13.

A spokesman for the state attorney general's office told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he could not comment.

[rondanottingham]

My brothernlaw is dead> And he leaves behind a son who just turned 18. He never knew his dad. Sheron used someone to kill a man then someone to get pregnant then the state of va to get paid> She isn't a victim. She is a piece of crap and you who think she was raped she adds in the newspaper with delight she did it willingly. She should have been fried in a chair. Everyday we live in sadness without him.She has a baby and money and freedom since they let her out early. Ronda

[pfd572]

beehive21: do I understand by your statement that you condone the actions of the detention officers? That it is okay to rape and extort women, causing one to become preganat, if they are prisoners? One crime doesn''t forgive and allow the second crime. These officers take oaths to uphold the law, we trust them to be honest and moral. No way does anyone get to commit any crime, especially such a ''violent'' one, no matter the perpetrator or the victim. To think otherwise is just sad and insane.

[beehive21-2009]

BS,hold on, the state, city ,county , tax papers need to pay ? BS .Hang em all .

[caliengineer]

The lawyer for Hill is incorrect about his "Major Hill". As an officer, she is responsible for everything that happens on her watch. A prisoner became pregnant while during Hill''s watch. How is that "nothing wrong?"

[caliengineer]

miami_21: great comment, thanks. Recently, two young men grabbed a bottle of Jim Beam from the store where my wife works. I imagined if I were there, I would have chased and caught them. But then, I realized, I would let them go. The "three strikes" law and the prison system as it is... well, it is beyond cruel and unusual.

[downsteamjim]

What is the big deal! It is only adults having ***. I thought we had settled this with Monica L. years ago.

[miami_21]

a view from behind bars; what about a settlement for the men that are forced to give sexual favors to the correctional officers both male and female? aren''t they entitled to some compensation also? thousands of male offenders are forced into oral and anal ***, masturbation and modeling with prison staff...everyday but you gentle readers hear nothing unless it involved a female offender...shows how callous our culture really is. i might also point out that each and every one of you will eventually know someone that has been "inside" maybe a son that goes in at the age of 22 comes out at 32, looks like he''s 52 and has been converted into someone that has no feelings one way or the other for the love of another human....

have a good day.

[ranger1948]

She is glad the case is over ? What about criminal charges for those involved ? Just because the victims have received comopensation doesn''t mean back to business as usual. What actions have been taken to correct this situation ?