NM inmates allege bad behavior by doctor

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - One New Mexico doctor is facing serious allegations in two separate lawsuits filed on behalf of 20 inmates in privately run state prisons. 

The lawsuits allege that Dr. Mark Walden fondled and performed behavior that was "sexual in nature" involuntarily on the inmates.

"I would almost put him in a category of someone who takes great pleasure of torturing people," says Frances
Carpenter, attorney for some of the inmates who are serving time at privately run prisons near Clayton and Santa Rosa.

Dr. Walden was responsible for treating the inmates. The two lawsuits alleges Dr. Walden unnecessarily performed prostate exams on inmates for health concerns that did not require prostate examinations. One inmate says he went in for a bad knee.

According to the inmates, some of the exams went on for up to ten minutes. They also allege Dr. Walden was not wearing any gloves.

"A lot of these inmates are not sophisticated," adds Carpenter. "They go to see this person who's a doctor and they think well, obviously he's doing what he's supposed to be doing because he's a doctor."

Carpenter is one of two Albuquerque attorneys who've filed the lawsuits on behalf of a total of 20 inmates against Dr. Walden, the prison's managing companies and other correctional staff.

Albuquerque attorney Katie Curry is representing eleven of those inmates. She says nursing staff at the correctional facilities noticed an increase in prostate exams during the time Dr. Walden was working with the inmates.

Carpenter and Curry say Walden violated the trust of the inmates and they worry because he's still practicing.
Dr. Walden is currently working at a family practice in Raton. However, the state medical board is now taking action to possibly revoke his medical license based on the inmates accusations.

KRQE News 13 made calls to Dr. Walden and his attorney, but as of 5:30 p.m. on Monday evening, they have not yet responded to requests for comment.

The same goes for GEO Group, the corporation that operates the privately-run prisons. They have also not responded to News 13's attempts for comment.

As for Corizon, the company hired to provide healthcare to inmates at those prisons, they would only say that Dr. Walden is no longer on staff.  

According to the New Mexico Medical Board, a hearing concerning the allegations against Dr. Walden could happen as early as April.