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The victim sued
the state in October 2014 claiming prison officials were grossly
negligent in allowing the incident to occur on Jan. 30, 2014.
She had sought $4 million in her claim.
Court records showed Arizona did not admit liability in the
attack at the Eyman prison complex in Florence, about 60 miles
southeast of Phoenix, but settled the lawsuit.
The settlement agreement, obtained by Reuters through a public
records request, was made final on Monday.
Authorities said the teacher was attacked in a classroom by
Jacob Harvey, who was serving a 30-year term for sexual assault
and kidnapping. Investigators confirmed that Harvey stabbed the
victim with a pen, brutally assaulted and then raped her. No
guards were present throughout.
Harvey was sentenced to life in prison in September for the
rape, plus additional time for kidnapping and aggravated
assault, and he apologized to the former teacher during the
court proceeding.
State prison officials were heavily criticized following the
attack and the department was fined $14,000 for workplace safety
violations, which is being appealed.
Scott Zwillinger, the teacher's attorney, said he was "very
satisfied" with the settlement that he believed is fair to both
sides.
A spokesman for the Arizona Department of Corrections said steps
have been taken to beef up security measures and staff training
to help bolster safety at its facilities.
(Reporting David Schwartz in Phoenix, Arizona; Editing by Curtis
Skinner and Sandra Maler)
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