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	Jail Chaplain Indicted for Raping Inmate By Clynton Namuo Union Leader June 30, 2007 http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Jail+chaplain+indicted+for+raping+inmate&articleId=97ec2bfb-7d37-4ceb-bdef-53194b9e8391 Dover – A 70-year-old former chaplain at the Strafford County jail allegedly sexually assaulted a 24-year-old female inmate for nine months before she told officials in April, according to an indictment handed up this week. Ralph Flodin of Alton was indicted on nine counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, one for each month, for allegedly assaulting the inmate during one-on-one counseling sessions. The charges each carry a maximum 20-year sentence. Flodin is also charged with misdemeanor sexual assault. A reporter's phone call to Flodin's residence yesterday was not answered. Flodin has volunteered at the Strafford County jail and the New Hampshire state prison for more than 20 years and was hired as the jail's chaplain last July, Strafford County Administrator Ray Bower said, adding that Flodin was put on leave immediately after the allegations came to light and was fired on May 13. The inmate informed jail officials of the alleged assaults on April 29 after she refused to attend a group counseling session with Flodin, Strafford County Sheriff's Capt. Joseph DiGregorio said. "We had no indication that anything inappropriate had ever taken place prior to these allegations," he said. The alleged assaults were said to have occurred in a private interview room at the end of a hallway in the women's section of the jail, DiGregorio said. The indictments say Flodin sexually assaulted the inmate during therapy sessions, "thus acting in a manner or for purposes which are not professionally recognized as ethical or acceptable." After hearing of the alleged assaults, investigators interviewed the inmate and others and found corroborating evidence, DiGregorio said. He declined to specify what the evidence was. "We did an extensive investigation, and we had some very compelling corroborating evidence, and we felt very strongly about bringing the indictments," he said. DiGregorio said there was no evidence Flodin knew the inmate before meeting her at the jail or that he assaulted any other inmates, though others said they felt uncomfortable around him. "We have had a couple female inmates who've indicated that he's made some inappropriate comments to female inmates but certainly nothing that would warrant a criminal charge," he said. As chaplain, Flodin oversaw the religious needs of inmates, Bower said, including conducting counseling sessions. Flodin was hired last year after being nominated by the county's Spiritual Care Committee and had extensive experience working in prisons, he said. Flodin was the jail's first paid chaplain. The Strafford County jail averages 360 inmates at any given time, with about 70 being female, Bower said. Other officials at the jail are filling in for Flodin until a replacement is found, he said. Flodin is to be arraigned at Strafford County Superior Court July 9.
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