Cycle of Abuse: When Arrested Women, Already Traumatized, Face Sexual Assault in Custody

​The journey through the criminal justice system is inherently stressful and disempowering, but for women with a history of childhood sexual abuse, this vulnerability is compounded—especially during transport. A disturbing pattern has emerged where individuals entrusted with the custody and safe transfer of female detainees exploit their authority, subjecting women to further trauma, including sexual assault. This issue is particularly pronounced with the use of private, for-profit prisoner transport companies.

​For survivors of childhood sexual abuse, an arrest and the subsequent physical and emotional confinement can trigger severe emotional distress, flashbacks, and a heightened state of fear and helplessness. When this vulnerability is met with abuse by transport agents—individuals armed and in a position of complete power—it is a devastating re-victimization by the very system meant to uphold the law.

​The Case of Extraditions International, Inc.

​One of the most widely publicized cases that brought this systemic issue to light was the lawsuit Robin Darbyshire v. Extraditions International, Inc.

​In 2002, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on behalf of Robin Darbyshire, a pre-trial detainee who was being transported from Nevada to a Colorado jail by the private prisoner transport company, Extraditions International, Inc.

  • ​The Allegations: During the four-day van trip, which included two male officers and mostly male prisoners, a guard named Richard Almendarez sexually harassed, threatened, and ultimately sexually assaulted Darbyshire. The complaint alleged that Almendarez physically restrained her in a restroom, forced her to expose herself, and threatened to shoot her if she reported him.
  • ​Company Negligence: Shockingly, Darbyshire complained about the harassment and threats during a stop at the Extraditions International office. Yet, the company placed her back in the van with the same driver. The lawsuit highlighted the company's alleged failure to train and supervise its staff appropriately.
  • ​Resolution: Darbyshire ultimately reached a settlement for money damages with the guard and Extraditions International, Inc., providing a measure of accountability for the horrific abuse and systemic failure.

​Other Noted Cases of Abuse by Transport Agents

​The Darbyshire case is not isolated. The use of private, often poorly regulated, prisoner transport companies has been linked to numerous allegations of sexual assault and abuse against female detainees across the country, underscoring a systemic lack of oversight:

  • ​Inmate Services Corporation (ISC): This company, a private contractor used by various counties, has faced multiple lawsuits and federal charges related to the sexual assault of female detainees.
    • ​The Jennifer and Danielle Cases (Ramsey County, MN): In a case widely covered by investigative reports, a woman named Jennifer was raped by an ISC guard named Hankins during a rest stop while being transported on a warrant. The incident was part of a larger pattern, with at least 21 women across the country accusing ISC guards of sexual assault, including another Ramsey County detainee, Danielle. Ramsey County ultimately reached a significant settlement with one of the victims, and the guard was sentenced to federal prison.
  • ​Private Transport Services (PTS): A former PTS transport officer, who contracted with government agencies, pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the civil rights of a female in his custody by sexually assaulting her during a transport in 2017.

​The Plight of the Vulnerable

​These incidents illustrate a profound failure in protecting individuals who are completely defenseless. The very conditions of transport—being handcuffed, shackled, isolated, and solely dependent on the transport agent—create an environment where women cannot protect themselves and where abuse of power can occur unchecked.

​For women who have suffered the trauma of childhood sexual abuse, an assault while in custody can shatter any hope of safety or justice, perpetuating a devastating cycle of victimization and trauma at the hands of those in authority. These cases serve as a critical reminder of the need for rigorous government oversight, strict safety protocols, and zero-tolerance policies to ensure the dignity and physical safety of all individuals in the corrections and transport systems.

Written by 

HARP ON THE TRUTH JOURNALIST.

Tres ( Trace) Rivers

Follow her on Bluesky @tresrivers.bsky.social

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