A group of female inmates in San Francisco has accused a sheriff’s deputy of recording them during a mass strip search while male officers observed.
Nineteen women alleged that on May 22, they were coerced into stripping at the county jail, with at least 15 male deputies present and several body cameras operational, according to a complaint from the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office.
It’s been reported that deputies continued filming despite one officer suggesting they turn off the cameras. Manohar Raju, a public defender in San Francisco, condemned the situation in a press conference outside the jail this past Monday.
“What these women faced during this extensive strip search and the ongoing harassment is beyond unacceptable,” Raju stated.
San Francisco Undersheriff Tanzanika Carter confirmed that significant strip searches took place but insisted they were done privately. While she did not address the women’s specific claims, she noted that “personnel action” had been taken regarding the complaints.
Witness statements from inmates and their attorneys painted a picture of armed deputies “assaulting” them, ordering them out of their beds. The Mission Local newspaper reported that officers dragged handcuffed women through various areas of the cell block, forcing them to undress in front of guards and other inmates.
One woman recounted, “They lifted our arms under our chests,” mentioning that some deputies were “snickering.” Another individual who was taken to a shower area described it as uncomfortable, with several women undressing simultaneously.
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office has stated that strip searches should occur away from the view of others, ensuring that no male officers are present when a woman is searched.
A private attorney representing the women indicated that the city is required to respond to the complaint within a 45-day timeframe.
