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Forced Strip Search and Gynecological Exams Will End for NYC Inmates

by TChris

New York City, in response to litigation, will no longer require every woman detained in the Rikers Island jail to undergo a gynecological exam.

The city for years had told every woman admitted to the Rikers Island jail that she had to undergo a pelvic exam, a Pap smear and a breast exam or move into isolation, said Richard Cardinale, the lead attorney in the class-action lawsuit.

The settlement requires the city to inform women that they can refuse the exams without retaliation.

The city also agreed to pay millions of dollars to people who were strip-searched in city jails after arrests on suspicion of misdemeanor charges or violations such as traffic infractions.

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    From the article:
    The city's lead attorney in the lawsuit, Genevieve Nelson, said through a spokeswoman Wednesday that offering the exams was required under state law. And the Health Department said it encourages women inmates to participate in the exams because of potential health benefits such as detecting cervical cancer, according to a statement.
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