Sallie Walker, a former employee of the Jackson Parish Correctional Center, has filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and workplace harassment that led to her wrongful termination. The complaint was filed on March 18, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against the Jackson Parish Correctional Center.
The case revolves around Sallie Walker's employment experience at JPCC, where she began working as a correctional officer in 2008. Despite her dedication and competence, Walker claims she faced systemic racial discrimination and hostility from her predominantly white supervisors. She recounts being repeatedly denied promotions due to her race and was even asked to train less qualified white colleagues who were promoted over her. Walker describes an incident on March 16, 2022, when Sergeant Robert Lowring physically assaulted her by punching her shoulder while making derogatory remarks. Despite reporting this assault to superiors like Sergeants April Dillion and Deanna Harris, no immediate action was taken to protect her.
Walker further alleges that following the assault report, she endured further harassment and isolation from colleagues who were friends or relatives of Lowring. Her work environment became increasingly hostile with coworkers dismissing her injuries as fake. On November 3, 2022, Walker was diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder Syndrome due to the assault and subsequently went on Family Medical Leave. However, despite not being medically cleared to return to work in February 2023, she was terminated for failing to resume duties.
Walker’s lawsuit accuses JPCC of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law by fostering a racially discriminatory environment and retaliating against her for exercising her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). She seeks various forms of relief including back pay, front pay, punitive damages for emotional distress caused by racial discrimination and retaliation. Additionally, she requests compensation for medical expenses incurred due to injuries sustained during Lowring's attack.
Representing Sallie Walker are attorneys Helen M. Daniel and Kathryn Williams from Daniel, Williams & Associates PLLC based in Houston, Texas. The case is presided over by judges at the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana under Case ID: 5:25-cv-00339.