Topeka Correctional Facility Warden Hope Cooper (left) and Secretary of Corrections Ray Roberts. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Governor Sam Brownback’s administration is refuting a federal report criticizing management and conduct at a Topeka women's prison. A letter from the U.S. Justice Department alleges there are serious problems at the Topeka Correctional Facility, including sexual misconduct by staff and prisoner abuse. Secretary of Corrections Ray Roberts says the letter doesn’t take into account improvements made at the facility.
He says improvements include the hiring of more staff, more training and increased security. Topeka Correctional Facility Warden Hope Cooper says she has focused on creating a new culture at the prison.
Cooper says all claims of misconduct are investigated. She says since the beginning of 2011, there have been no substantiated claims of misconduct by staff and one claim of sexual abuse committed by an inmate. Governor Brownback says there were problems at the prison when he took office.
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