A former inmate at the Two Bridges Regional Jail has filed a civil lawsuit against the facility and naming three staff members of the jail in the suit: Corrections Administrator Col. Mark Westrum, Lt. Richard Thompson, and Corrections Officer Brian Bossie.
Amanda Hayes, 34, of Dixmont, filed a lawsuit in the Wiscasset U.S. Superior Court last week alleging that her civil rights were violated when she was sexually assaulted while an inmate at Two Bridges Regional Jail, from Aug. 31, 2011 until March 31, 2012.
According to court documents, Hayes states in her complaint that she was subject to repeated sexual advances by Bossie that resulted in her being sexually assaulted in her cell.
She also alleges Bossie’s supervisors Col. Mark Westrum and Lt. Richard Thompson knew of Bossie’s sexual advances to her and failed to protect her.
Hayes alleges that throughout the month of September 2011, Bossie made several sexual comments to her. He would require that she be naked when he did a check of her cell.
Officer Bossie’s sexual comments and remarks were unwelcome and unprovoked by Hayes and frightened her, according to the complaint. Bossie is also alleged to have given Hayes gifts and personal notes.
On or about September 30, he entered her cell, groped her buttocks with his hands and forced Hayes to kiss him on the mouth, according to the court document.
The complaint goes on to say that Westrum and Thompson, “were aware of a pattern and history of inappropriate conduct by Officer Bossie with other female inmates prior to September 30, 2011, including but not limited to Ms. Hayes.
“Despite the above knowledge, Lt. Thompson and Col. Westrum took no action to discipline Officer Bossie, to properly train him, or to protect female inmates from him.”
Hayes further alleges that Westrum and Thompson created a work environment within the jail that condoned or approved of Bossie’s inappropriate behavior toward female inmates.
According to the court document, “On or about April 2, 2012, Officer Bossie entered guilty pleas to assault and unlawful touching in Lincoln County Superior Court in the case of State of Maine versus Brian Bossie.
“The above criminal charges and plea involved the misconduct committed by Officer Bossie against Ms. Hayes, on or about September 30, 2011.”
Hayes alleges she has suffered emotional distress, pain and suffering, anxiety, fear, humiliation, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment for life’s daily activities as a result of having her rights violated.
Hayes is seeking an award of compensatory and punitive damages, payment of attorney fees, and all other monetary equitable relief the court finds appropriate, according to the court documents.
During a brief telephone interview last week, Westrum said he was unable to comment on the suit, and referred questions to attorney Peter Marchesi, of Waterville.
According to records at the Two Bridges Regional Jail, Hayes was an inmate at Two Bridges seven times, between September 2009 and November 2012, on charges that include forgery, probation revocation, violating condition of release, trafficking in prison contraband, and failure to pay fines.
Hayes was a Waldo County inmate serving her incarceration at Two Bridges. The Waldo County Jail closed and became a pre-release center in 2009, sending all Waldo County inmates to be housed at Two Bridges Regional Jail.
At press time, attorney Peter Marchesi was not available for comment.
