A Washington state inmate has filed a federal lawsuit alleging repeated sexual assault and harassment by a transgender cellmate who was transferred to a women’s prison after changing gender identity. Mozzy Clark, the plaintiff, claims that state corrections officials knowingly placed her in a cell with Christopher Scott Williams, a 6-foot-4 convicted child molester, leading to months of abuse.
Williams, convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl and serving a separate sentence for domestic abuse, petitioned to be recognized as female and was transferred to the Washington Corrections Center for Women. According to the lawsuit, Williams subjected Clark to stalking, threats, and multiple sexual assaults. The lawsuit seeks restitution for the “extreme emotional distress, shame, and humiliation” Clark endured.
Clark’s claims align with other accounts of misconduct involving Williams and transgender inmates at the facility. In an interview with the National Review in August, another unnamed inmate described intimidating behavior by Williams and other transgender inmates, alleging violations of privacy and feelings of vulnerability, particularly in shared spaces like showers.
The prison reportedly housed at least 11 transgender inmates at the time. Clark’s lawsuit contends that the state’s decision to house biologically male individuals in women’s facilities, despite their criminal records, created dangerous conditions for female inmates.
The state’s Department of Corrections has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, but the case raises broader questions about the policies governing the placement of transgender inmates and the safety of incarcerated women. Clark’s legal team argues that her case demonstrates a failure to prioritize inmate safety over ideological considerations.
This lawsuit joins a growing number of cases highlighting tensions in correctional systems balancing inclusivity policies with safety concerns. Advocacy groups and policymakers are likely to scrutinize this case as debates about prison reform and gender identity policies continue nationwide.
