Lakeview Shock Correctional Facility Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Lawyers for Former Lakeview Shock Incarceration Inmates

Inmates of Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility (Lakeview) have begun to come forward with many reports of sexual abuse carried out by correctional officers and staff members, mostly against female inmates. With the recently passed New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA), former and current inmates of Lakeview have a limited time to file a civil claim against Lakeview and the New York Department of Correctional Services and Community Supervision (NYDOCS), even for abuses that occurred many years or decades ago. Do not miss your chance to file a claim — the lookback window closes on November 24, 2023.

The sexual abuse case team, led by Attorneys Anna Kull at Levy Konigsberg is known for bringing lawsuits against prisons across New York and the nation, including but not limited to Bayview Correctional Facility, Albion Correctional Facility, and Rikers Island. If you were sexually abused at Lakeview, including during acts that were labeled as “discipline” during a shock incarceration program, then you should trust your case to us. We are ready to hear your story, amplify your voice, and demand justice and compensation on your behalf.

For a FREE and confidential case evaluation, dial (800) 315-3806 or use an online contact form now.

Do you know other women who were sexually abused in a New York prison or jail? If so, we invite you to refer a friend by contacting us or sharing our firm’s contact information with them.
File Deadline November 23, 2023
REFER A FRIEND: HELP SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN NEW YORK PRISONS

About Lakeview Shock Prison

Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility is a controversial “shock” prison in New York. At the incarceration center, prisoners get a shorter sentence by agreeing to be a part of a “shock” program, which was advertised as a way to teach them “discipline” and “courtesy.” After decades of shock incarceration programs have been used across the country, there is little to no evidence that the harsh and cruel treatment of prisoners has done anything to reduce the risk of recidivism. Indeed, former inmates at Lakeview and other shock correctional facilities have long complained that all it does is give the correctional officers a “free pass” to physically, emotionally, and sexually abuse inmates without consequence.

According to inmate complaints, “shock” programs in New York prisons included:

• Physical and sexual assaults
• Food deprivation
• Sleep deprivation

First-hand accounts of former female inmates prove that officers at Lakeview Shock sexually assaulted inmates. Such unthinkable acts are now at the center of an influx of lawsuits now being filed against the New York Department of Correctional Services.

History of Sexual Abuse at Lakeview

Some of the most noteworthy incidents and cases of sexual abuse at Lakeview include:

• 2013: A report of sexual assaults carried out by a correctional officer triggered a series of inmate sexual abuse allegations across the state.
• 2017: Officer James Beam Jr. is charged with the rape of an inmate at Lakeview.
• 2018: Officer Antolini is charged with official misconduct and an improper personal relationship with an inmate.
• 2020: A federal lawsuit is filed against Lakeview and cites five separate incidents in which a female inmate was sexually assaulted and correction officers attempted to hide all evidence of the attack.

New York Law Prevents Consent Defense

Importantly, New York law makes it impossible to establish consent to sexual acts between an inmate and a corrections officer or any other worker or person of authority at a prison. Due to this statute, Lakeview and the NYDOCS cannot try to use consent as a defense in sexual abuse claims brought by inmates. This law creates a stronger foundation for inmates who want to file a claim, so you should not hesitate to learn your legal options if you are thinking of filing, too.

No Criminal Charges are Required to File

In many cases of prisoner sexual abuse, there have never been any charges filed against the perpetrator, sometimes due to intentional coverups. However, criminal charges are not required to start a civil claim against a sexual abuser. The criminal justice system and the civil court system are kept separate, partially for this reason. Even if there was never an investigation for the alleged sexual abuse, you can still seek justice through the civil court.

Adult Survivors Act Time Limit

The New York Adult Survivors Act allows former Lakeview Shock inmates to file civil claims for acts of sexual abuse carried out by correctional officers and staff members, regardless of when the attack took place. Even if a typical statute of limitations would stop a claim from being filed, a plaintiff can come forward due to the ASA’s allowances. The ASA lookback window closes on November 24, 2023. You must file a claim before this date, or you could forever lose your chance to demand justice for what happened to you at Lakeview Shock Correctional Center.

Ready to Fight for You – Call Now

Levy Konigsberg has a reputation for fighting tirelessly for people who have been wronged and set aside, which is how so many sexual abuse survivors from Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility feel. If you are looking for someone to listen to you, support your claims, and demand justice in your name, then you have found the right law firm. Please let us fight for you, just as we have done for so many inmates in the past.

Remember: The ASA lookback window is strictly limited. Contact us online or call (800) 315-3806 now for a free, confidential consultation.