Sexual harassment policy for prison workers released

Thursday, Nov. 11, 1999 | 9:58 a.m.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa ordered Bob Bayer to release the policy after it was approved Wednesday by the state Prison Board, chaired by Gov. Kenny Guinn. The policy governs behavior of prison employees and have nothing to do with inmates.

The policy emphasizes the agency has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and calls for a thorough investigation of complaints. No retaliation may be made against employees who file complaints.

Earlier Wednesday, Bayer told the Prison Board, whose members include Guinn, Del Papa and Secretary of State Dean Heller, that the policy should remain confidential to prevent it from falling in the hands of inmates.

During the meeting, Heller questioned the need for secrecy, and Guinn even read aloud a portion of the regulations.

The governor also repeatedly complained that the regulations were too long and too complex for employees to know if they were behaving properly.