Hasharon Prison (archives)
Photo: Yaron Brener
Warden suspected of molesting Palestinian prisoner
Hasharon Prison inmate files indecent assault complaint against jailer, who denies allegations but is sent on forced leave. Prisoner moved to different jail
A warden from Hasharon Prison has been questioned on suspicion of sexually harassing a female Palestinian prisoner. The jailer was sent on forced leave until the completion of the investigation, while the inmate was moved to a different prison on Wednesday.
Following the investigation, the Israel Prison Service decided to send the warden on forced leave. If the police recommend that he be indicted, the warden will be suspended from his work. Otherwise, he will return to the prison.
A police unit engaged in the investigation of wardens launched a probe into the suspicions after the prisoner filed an indecent assault complaint against the jailer. The warden was questioned, but denied the allegations and was sent home.
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The complainant will serve the rest of her jail sentence in a different prison.
An IPS source said the incident was embarrassing and serious. "The wardens are in charge of safeguarding the male and female inmates. Such a suspicion, if it is proven to be true, contradicts what we are supposed to be doing.
"In addition, it's even more embarrassing because this was a Muslim security prisoner, and the Muslim religion is sensitive to the whole matter of sexual conduct and women's honor," he noted.
The source added that the fact the suspected warden was of Druze descent, and a religious man, made the whole affair even more complex and embarrassing.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
