Woman sues over strip-search at Allegheny County Jail

A Duquesne woman claims the county and a correctional officer violated her civil rights on Sept. 26 by strip-searching her in front of a camera at the Allegheny County Jail.

Jalisa Hawkins, 25, was in the jail from April 3, 2013, to Feb. 26, the lawsuit says. She was strip-searched after returning from a court appearance, said her lawyer Marvin Leibowitz.

Hawkins objected to stripping in front of the camera but the guard insisted, he said. She doesn't know who was watching or later saw the video, he said.

“She just feels humiliated that this happened,” Leibowitz said.

County spokeswoman Amie Downs declined comment. The guard is only identified in the lawsuit by her last name.

Though the guards normally conduct strip-searches in an area near the showers that doesn't have a camera, the guard this time conducted the strip search in a holding cell that included a security camera, Leibowitz said.

Hawkins is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Brian Bowling is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at 412-325-4301 or bbowling@tribweb.com.