Jail Guards in New York City Performed Illegal Strip Searches on Women, Prosecutors Say

The arrests coincided with the release of a new report from the city Department of Investigation, which found that staff in city jails “continues to subject visitors, mostly women, to invasive searches that violate D.O.C.’s own policies and are inconsistent with the dignity and rights of visitors.”

The indictment also comes on the heels of dozens of lawsuits alleging illegal strip searches have occurred at city jails. A review of these lawsuits uncovered a pattern: Visitors claimed they signed waivers for routine “pat frisk” searches, but instead were given full searches, sometimes even cavity checks, in bathrooms or search rooms.

Alan H. Figman, a lawyer representing at least 50 women who have accused correction officers of conducting improper searches at jails, said the city “has done absolutely nothing to rein in a systemic violation of visitors’ well-being and rights.” He applauded the indictment.

“It’s good they’re finally doing something about this,” Mr. Figman said.

Mr. Figman, who also represents many women who were searched during visits to Rikers Island, criticized the Bronx district attorney’s office for declining to prosecute correction officers there. “It’s gotten to the point of ridiculousness,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Bronx district attorney did not respond on Monday to requests for comment.

Under city policy, visitors may be required to take off coats, hats and shoes during a frisk search, but no other garments. If contraband is discovered, the officers involved in the search, as well as the supervising captain, are required to fill out a report, according to the indictment.

If visitors do not want to be searched, they can leave voluntarily; correction officers can also offer them a visit in which they have no physical contact with the prisoner or deny them a visit outright.

Prosecutors said several of the officers charged tried to hide evidence of the illegal searches by filing false paperwork with the Correction Department and the Manhattan district attorney’s office.