‘Living nightmare’: Female inmate from Washington prison says she was assaulted by transgender cellmate

A former inmate of a women’s prison in Washington state claims she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by her hulking transgender cellmate after the latter was transferred to the facility following a change in gender identity, according to a lawsuit. Mozzy Clark has filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s Department of Corrections, alleging that she was placed in a cell with a 6-foot-4 convicted child molester who subjected her to months of stalking, threats, sexual harassment, and assault.

The cellmate, identified as Christopher Scott Williams, was originally convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl and was serving an additional sentence for domestic abuse. Williams, who now identifies as a transgender woman, petitioned to be recognised as female and was subsequently transferred to a women’s prison. According to the lawsuit, once Williams was placed in the same cell as Clark, her life became “a living nightmare.”

Records from the state Department of Corrections list Williams as female and housed at the Washington Corrections Center for Women.

Allegations of Threats and Abuse

The lawsuit outlines a series of allegations, claiming Williams frequently threatened to rape Clark, leered at her in the shower, and persistently demanded sex. On one occasion, Williams allegedly harassed Clark with a homemade sex toy. “In their cell, Ms Clark was on the bottom bunk. Mr Williams … would hover menacingly over Ms Clark’s bunk with an erection while touching himself. He would also display his erection to Ms Clark against her will, gesturing towards it and expressing his desires,” the lawsuit states. The lawsuit further alleges that one night Clark awoke to find Williams sitting on the floor next to her bed with an arm under her blanket.

Lack of Protection from Prison Authorities

Clark claims that when she reported the abuse to prison staff, little was done to protect her. Although Williams was eventually moved to a different cell, the harassment allegedly continued. Williams reportedly sought Clark out, followed her into the bathroom, and made lewd comments from a neighbouring stall. “He also started threatening her with violence if she complained about him again,” the suit alleges. Clark is seeking damages for “extreme emotional distress, shame, intimidation, humiliation, indignation, embarrassment, and fear.”

Broader Concerns at the Facility

Clark is not the only inmate to raise concerns about Williams. In August, another prisoner described inappropriate and intimidating behaviour by Williams and other transgender inmates at the prison. “When women are in the showers, these people are just standing there. They don’t need to stand on their tiptoes—they look over and see everything. People feel so uncomfortable. You feel like you’ve been violated,” an unnamed prisoner stated. Reports indicate that the facility housed at least 11 transgender inmates at the time.

Courtesy : TOI

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