Female inmates sue state, alleging invasive strip searches

Two women incarcerated in a state prison in Grants allege in a new lawsuit they were subjected to abnormally invasive and unsanitary strip searches and then faced retaliation — the loss of credits for early release and other privileges — after reporting the incidents.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, which filed the complaint Friday in state District Court, is accusing the New Mexico Corrections Department of violating the women’s civil rights.