U.S. Justice opens inquiry into Pa. prison abuses

Looking at sexual violence at SCI Pittsburgh, mental health treatment at Cresson facility

By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Friday, December 02, 2011

www.post-gazette.com/pg/11336/1194007-53-0.stm?cmpid=localstate.xml


Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette
Harry Nicoletti, 59, of Coraopolis is described as the ringleader among prison officers who allegedly preyed on inmates.



The U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday that it has launched a civil investigation into the State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh, which has been rocked by an inmate abuse scandal that has resulted in criminal charges against seven correctional officers.

Prosecutors and two civil lawsuits have portrayed Mr. Nicoletti as the ringleader of a cabal of correctional officers who preyed on inmates who were incarcerated for sexual crimes, were gay or transgendered or wouldn't go along with their activities. Last month, six more guards were charged in state court with related crimes.