Former Oregon Inmate Sues DOC, Alleges Sexual Abuse by Doctor
A former inmate has filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), claiming he was sexually assaulted by Dr. Leland Beamer, the chief medical officer at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution. James Watkins, who was released on November 8, alleges that the abuse occurred during medical appointments related to a back injury sustained while working in the prison kitchen.
The lawsuit details five instances between November 2022 and January 2023, where Beamer reportedly engaged in inappropriate touching and made lewd comments. In a particularly disturbing incident, Watkins alleges that Beamer requested he lower his pants during a medical procedure and slapped his bare buttocks afterward. Additionally, Watkins claims he underwent an unwanted prostate exam that caused him severe pain, and in a desperate attempt to stop the abuse, he had to pull Beamer’s hand away from his rectum.
Watkins’ attorney, Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, emphasizes that this case highlights a disturbing pattern of sexual misconduct within the DOC, asserting that the department has long been aware of systemic sexual abuse by staff. Montgomery stated, “We will hold the perpetrators and ODOC leadership accountable” for their negligence.
Amber Campbell, a spokesperson for the DOC, expressed the agency’s commitment to a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding sexual abuse and harassment, though she refrained from commenting on the specifics of the ongoing litigation. The lawsuit not only names Dr. Beamer but also implicates prison administrators for failing to protect Watkins and adequately investigate his claims.
The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages for Watkins’ suffering, continuing a troubling trend of sexual misconduct cases that have emerged within Oregon’s correctional facilities.
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