Associated Press
NEWPORT, Ark. — The U.S. Department of Justice has finished the on-site portion of its investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and abuse at an Arkansas women’s prison unit.
A spokeswoman for the Arkansas Department of Correction said late Thursday that a three-member team from the federal department arrived at the Newport facility, about 90 miles north of Little Rock, on Monday. The team left Thursday after interviewing inmates and staff.
Department of Corrections spokeswoman Cathy Frye says the federal investigators will produce a report sharing their findings in “the next few months.”
The federal agency announced in June that it would investigate allegations of sexual abuse and harassment of inmates by prison staff. Corrections officials say they believe the investigation involves a former chaplain suspected of having sexual relationships with two inmates.