Judge Rules Against Physical Fitness Test For Female Prison Guards In Connecticut

BRIDGEPORT, CT (AP / CBSNewYork) - A federal judge has ruled that Connecticut's Department of Corrections discriminated against more than 100 women who applied to be guards.

WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau: Judge Says The Test Had Nothing To Do With The Job

U.S. District Judge Janet Hall granted a motion for summary judgment in a class-action lawsuit filed against the Department of Corrections in 2008.

She agreed with the plaintiffs, who argued that a physical fitness test that required applicants meet certain times for a 1.5 mile run was discriminatory.

Seth Marnin, an attorney for the lead plaintiff in the case, said Monday they will be seeking more than $1 million in damages, and may ask that some of the women be hired as guards.

"We believe that our clients are entitled to the money that they would have earned, but for the discriminatory test," Marnin told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau.

Brian Garnett, a spokesman for the department, said he would have to look into the ruling before he could comment.

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