A federal court jury recently awarded a former inmate of the Muncy State Correctional Institution $1 million in compensatory and punitive damages in a sexual harassment and assault case.

Josie McCormick alleged in the civil suit she was subjected to repeated sexual advances by a guard at the prison in 2015 and 2016.

The defendant, Matthew Allabach, was accused of misconduct which included exposing himself to McCormick, attempting to get her alone in a cell with him, locking her in a room after she refused his request to show him her chest, grabbing her and pushing his groin against her buttocks, as well as other sexual actions.

Also named as defendants in the case were SCI Muncy and Robert Smith, a former superintendent of the prison.

The counts against Smith include failing to “adequately train correctional officers and/or prison staff on policies regarding sexual relationships, or other inappropriate contact, with inmates” as well as failing to supervise correctional officers and not adequately investigating claims of sexual harassment and abuse.

Commenting on the case, McCormick’s attorney, Amy Boring of Williamsport, said, “I know the jury was sending a message. The actions were appalling.”

The two-day trial in Middle District Court in Wilkes-Barre ended Thursday.