Male guards at Elizabeth Holmes’ prison leered at women inmates in shower: ex-prisoner
Texas prison, Bryan Federal Prison Camp, where Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes will be staying for the next decade, has been under scrutiny due to its sexual misconduct allegations against male guards. The allegations state that male guards conduct “shower checks” and have indulged in sexual activities with female inmates in the past. Lynn Espejo, a former inmate who spent two years there from 2018 to early 2020, claims that male guards walked in on female inmates in the shower and violated federal guidelines that require female guards to perform strip searches. Espejo also revealed in her blog posts, which she sent surreptitiously to a friend, that the prison officials failed to follow proper protocol. Holmes began her prison sentence on Tuesday, but she is not likely to face any difficult situations, says Espejo. Despite the allegations, a BOP spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
FAQs
Q: What are the allegations against male guards at Bryan Federal Prison Camp?
A: According to a former inmate, male guards conduct “shower checks” and have indulged in sexual activities with female inmates in the past.
Q: What are the federal guidelines regarding strip searches in prisons?
A: Federal regulations and Bureau of Prison policies mandate that strip searches be conducted by a staff member who is the same gender as the inmate being searched, according to a Justice Department memo.
Q: Is Elizabeth Holmes likely to face any difficulties during her stay at the Texas prison?
A: According to Lynn Espejo, a former inmate, Holmes is not likely to face any difficulties as long as she “treats others respectfully and acts humble and nice.”
Q: What is the Bureau of Prison’s response to the allegations?
A: A spokesperson declined to comment on anecdotal allegations but stated that the agency takes seriously its duty to protect individuals entrusted in their custody and maintain the safety of correctional staff and the community.
Ex-Prisoner Claims Male Guards at Elizabeth Holmes’ Prison Observed Women Inmates in Showers with Lustful Intentions
Disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has arrived at a Texas women’s-only prison to serve an 11-year sentence for wire fraud, but according to a former inmate and official records, the facility has a history of sexual misconduct allegations and the use of male guards in “shower checks” of female inmates. Lynn Espejo, who was incarcerated at Bryan Federal Prison Camp from 2018 until 2020, claimed that some male guards were “having sex with women” inmates during these checks. Espejo also alleged that the prison had hired too few female guards to conduct strip searches, in violation of federal regulations. While some of these allegations have been investigated and cleared by the prison system, there have been six sexual misconduct allegations at the facility in the past year alone. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on the allegations. Larry Levine, a former prisoner and now the owner of a consultancy firm which advises inmates before they enter facilities, claimed that Holmes could be seen as a target for sexual advances by inmates. Despite these concerns, Espejo stated that she believed Holmes would not be victimized while incarcerated.