Inmate Says Guard Raped Her

An inmate at the state women’s prison in Pocatello claims she was raped and forced to engage in sexual acts by a guard who then threatened her if she reported the incidents.

The alleged incidents occurred between the end of October and Nov. 16, 1995, according to a tort claim filed against the state by the inmate, who is still held at the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Institution.

She said correctional officer Kelly Sanchez had forced her on “numerous” occasions “to submit to and engage in sexual acts, including rape,” when he was her work supervisor.

“The Claimant was threatened, coerced, and intimidated by Officer Sanchez in order to prevent her from reporting his conduct,” her April 18 claim says.

She is seeking more than $500,000.

State law requires that claims for damages against government agencies first be lodged in a tort claim before they can advance to the civil court system.

Calls to Sanchez at the Pocatello prison were referred to Corrections Personnel Manager Phyllis Blunck in Boise. She said Sanchez was placed on administrative leave with pay on April 16. Blunck declined to say whether his changed work status was related to the inmate’s allegations.

The inmate said Corrections Director James Spalding, Warden Bona Miller, Deputy Warden Shawn O’Brien, “and possibly other employees were negligent in their supervision, training, and hiring of Officer Sanchez and failed to implement preventative and necessary policies and practices to prevent and protect inmates from correctional officers who engage in such conduct.”

The woman said she had suffered physical and mental injuries as a result of the alleged crimes. Her attorney is Howard Belodoff of Boise.

Correction Department spokeswoman Ann Thompson said the case has been referred to the state attorney general’s office.