Sallie Walker, a former employee of the Jackson Parish Correctional Center, has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation. The complaint was submitted on March 18, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Walker's allegations against the correctional center paint a troubling picture of workplace discrimination and harassment.
According to the details laid out in the complaint, Sallie Walker began her tenure at Jackson Parish Correctional Center (JPCC) as a correctional officer in May 2008. Despite her dedication and competence leading to promotions over time, she faced significant hurdles due to racial discrimination. Walker claims that she was repeatedly denied promotions not because of any lack of qualifications but solely based on her race. One notable incident involved her being overlooked for a position within the booking department despite having more experience than the white woman who was eventually hired for the role. Walker alleges that she was even asked to train this less qualified individual.
The situation escalated on March 16, 2022, when Sergeant Robert Lowring allegedly assaulted Walker while she was working in Control Room 2. This incident was part of a pattern of disrespectful behavior towards black female officers by Lowring. After reporting this assault to supervisors April Dillion and Deanna Harris, no protective actions were taken. Instead, Walker faced further aggression from Lowring and mockery from other supervisors present during subsequent assaults.
Walker’s attempts to seek justice through internal channels proved futile as she felt unsupported by higher-ups like Warden Tim Ducote and Major Bryan K. Bellelo, who had personal ties with Lowring. Feeling unsafe at work led Walker to report the assault to local police on March 23, 2022. Although Lowring was eventually terminated and later arrested for simple battery, Walker experienced ongoing isolation and hostility from colleagues allied with him.
Her health deteriorated due to these stressful conditions; diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder Syndrome in November 2022, she took Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave for recovery. However, upon its expiration in February 2023 without medical clearance to return, JPCC terminated her employment—a move Walker argues violated FMLA protections against retaliation.
Walker’s lawsuit accuses JPCC of multiple counts: race discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; retaliation following her assault report; creating a hostile work environment; and retaliating against her FMLA leave request. She seeks back pay with interest, punitive damages for emotional distress caused by discriminatory practices at JPCC along with coverage for legal fees incurred during this process.
Representing Sallie Walker are attorneys Helen M. Daniel and Kathryn Williams from Daniel Williams & Associates PLLC based in Houston Texas while presiding over this case is Judge TAD-KDM under Case ID: 3:25-cv-00339-TAD-KDM.