Prison assault latest involving illicit sex

According to Oklahoma Department of Corrections records, there were 45 reports of staff sexual misconduct in 2005 and 2006.

Monday, June 30th 2008, 8:32 pm

By: News 9

Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - A former prison secretary accused of having sex with an inmate is the latest in a series of Oklahoma cases involving allegations of sexual activity between inmates and jail or prison staff.

Prosecutors last week filed a first-degree rape charge against 27-year-old Joi Ilene Starr.

Although the sexual acts were consensual, District Attorney Greg Mashburn says Starr was charged with rape because any sexual contact between an inmate and a prison staff member is illegal.

The case is the latest in a series of alleged sexual assaults on inmates by jail or prison staff.

According to Oklahoma Department of Corrections records, there were 45 reports of staff sexual misconduct in 2005 and 2006, the most recent years for which statistics are available. Of those, only 13 were substantiated.