The Arkansas Department of Correction is asking the U.S. Department of Justice for details of its investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment of prisoners at the McPherson Prison Unit in Newport, about 90 miles northeast of Little Rock.
Department Director Wendy Kelley sent a letter Thursday to the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division asking that it share the allegations against current employees regarding current inmates. Kelly said the department has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse and that she wants to take immediate action to protect any affected prisoners.
The Justice Department has not returned phone calls and emails from The Associated Press seeking comment.
The department announced its investigation into allegations of abuse of some inmates and alleged mistreatment of some transgender prisoners earlier this month.
