This story contains descriptions of sexual assault.
Two lawsuits over sexual harassment in Arkansas prisons have been settled.
The decision was approved on Tuesday by the Claims Review Committee of the Arkansas Legislature. Corrections Department Chief of Staff Wade Hodge answered a few questions from lawmakers before both settlements were approved.
The first case was filed by inmate Carolyn Arnett. She says Kenneth Dewitt, chaplain at the McPherson Unit state prison in Newport, groomed and assaulted her. The allegations took place over four years from 2010 to 2014.
Another case was brought by Arkansas Department of Corrections employee Latasha Ridgle. She sued the department in 2019, saying she was sexually harassed by inmates and demoted when she complained to her superiors.
Both cases were settled earlier this year for undisclosed amounts. During the meeting, the Claims Review Committee quickly voted to rubber-stamp both settlements.
In response to questions about prevention measures, Hodge said the department is “undergoing audits.”
Arnett Case
Through legal documents, Arnett says she was sexually assaulted by Kenneth Dewitt, the McPherson Unit prison chaplain. Around four other women, many unnamed in the report, allege sexual abuse from Dewitt around the same time. Several years after the allegations, , Dewitt pleaded guilty to third degree sexual assault and was sentenced to five years in prison. He is no longer incarcerated
Documents say Dewitt worked for state prisons going back to the late 90’s.
Court records show Dewitt was fond of fellow reverend Bill Gothard, founder of a controversial conservative nonprofit called the Institute in Basic Life Principles. He has been under fire for teachings that seem to advocate for child abuse and sexual assault. Meanwhile, dozens of abuse allegations have circled his career as documented in a 2023 documentary, "Shiny Happy People."
“Dewitt enjoyed a close personal relationship with Gothard,” the suit says of the former chaplain.
Dewitt created a religious program for prisoners called Principles and Applications For Life, or PAL, said to be partially influenced by Gothard's teachings.
The court documents call PAL “essentially a cult,” that “brainwashed” female inmates. Literature the group put out told inmates that “God works through human authorities to accomplish His purpose” and that “honoring authority brings inward peace.”
In 2003, Arnett received a life sentence for her role in a murder. She was moved to the McPherson unit.
Soon after, Arnett applied to join Dewitt's program “seeking spiritual guidance, and wishing to better herself.”
Dewitt is said to have taken a special liking to Arnett, giving her extra responsibilities in the program. Arnett said her work for Dewitt's PAL program “gave her a sense of accomplishment and belonging," and that students of the Bible lessons she taught became like a family to her.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the prison ruled “an internal affairs investigator ignored allegations of sexual misconduct by an officer at McPherson,” referencing at least 15 allegations.
Starting December 2010 and lasting until 2014, Dewitt summoned Arnett to his office and committed the assaults. Dewitt gave Arnett birth control medication, which is against prison policy.
“In order to facilitate this planned, systematic abuse,” the suit says, “Dewitt enlisted the assistance of other ADC officials and employees who would clear Plaintiff at various checkpoints, enabling her travel between her barracks and Dewitt's office.”
In 2012, Dewitt won "Employee of the Year" award at the prison.
In 2014, Dewitt was “allowed to resign.” The next year, a new DOJ investigation into sexual abuse in prisons began.
At the legislative meeting Tuesday, Hodge said Dewitt partially evaded being noticed by covering his office window. The case documents include a picture of his office. Part of the window is blocked by the lid of a plastic trunk.
“We are making sure things like that don't happen again,” Hodge said.
Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, pointed out that the allegations are over a decade old.
“2014, that's a pretty long time ago,” he said. “And we're just now taking action.”
Hodge says the department has “undergone different things” in addition to audits.
Dismang seemed inclined to ask another question, but instead said, "I'll stop.”
Ridgle case
The second sexual harassment case discussed Tuesday was instead filed by a prison guard over the behavior of inmates. Latasha Ridgle says several inmates harassed and assaulted her during her time working in prisons. These allegations include inmates exposing themselves, grabbing her non-consensually and masturbating in front of her.
When Ridgle reported the abuse, she said her superiors and coworkers did not help prevent further harassment. One boss made “demeaning comments about women working in correctional facilities.” She says she was publicly admonished in front of colleagues at a meeting over the allegations.
“I think women shouldn't work in a prison,” she was told, “especially a single woman because she has something against men and work around all men."
A warden at the prison said the abuse is what Ridgle “signed up for.”
The suit against the ADC over the assaults has lasted about seven years.
“I’m an attorney,” Rep. Ashley Hudson, D-Little Rock, said Tuesday. “I get that litigation takes a while, but this seems excessive.”
Assistant Attorney General Trey Cooper said “the best he could give” to explain the delay was to blame the COVID-19 pandemic for partially holding up the settlement.
Hudson asked if sexual harassment was a pervasive problem in state prisons.
Hodge said the department "tries” to stop sexual misconduct in prisons.
