By C1 Staff
WETUMPKA, Ala. — A new report from the Alabama Department of Corrections cites an overuse of lie detector tests when it comes to inmate complaints about sexual abuse.
According to AL.com, the tests were used almost exclusively in investigations where inmates claimed they were sexually abused by correctional officers. This report comes as part of the investigation into Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women, which has been plagued with alleged incidents of staff misconduct and sexual abuse.
The report also stated that allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior were determined to be ‘unfounded’ when prisoners failed or refused to submit to a lie detector test. The results of the tests were also used to influence prosecution of Tutwiler’s criminal cases.
DOC spokesman Brian Corbett said the DOC is aware of the concerns and is currently looking into the “national best practices” for lie detector tests.
It’s optional for prisoners to take the tests, he said.
Corbett added that the lie detector tests are no longer offered to sexual abuse victims as agency procedure, but he did not know when the policy changed.
Lie detector tests are currently banned in 13 states and are inadmissible in criminal courts. Additionally, PREA states that no prison shall require “an inmate who alleges sexual abuse to submit to a polygraph examination or other truth-telling device as a condition” for the investigation to proceed.