By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A bill in the Missouri House would make it a felony for inmates to direct acts of sexual misconduct at prison guards.
It's sponsored by State Representative Linda Fischer (D, Bonne Terre), whose hometown is also home to the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center.
"Very explicit, the type of sexual misconduct that's taking place...it's directed towards officers, to try to make their day harassing in nature, and it's very, very disgusting and distasteful, the things that happen to corrections officers, as they're trying to perform their duties each day," Fischer said.
Inmates directing acts of sexual misconduct at guards would face up to four years in prison, and in certain instances would be classified as sexual predators.
Fischer says the bill would also apply to inmates in county jails.