Reported Assault Of Inmate By Corrections Guard At Philadelphia Prison
By Kim Glovas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- An investigation is underway at the Curran-Fromhold Corrections Facility after the reported assault of an inmate by a corrections guard. It happened in front of about a dozen community organizations during a resource fair for inmates returning to the community.
Philadelphia Prison System spokeswoman Shawn Hawes says she knows about the incident, but was told the guard used appropriate force.
Hawes says at one point, the inmate was told it was time to leave the fair and return to his housing unit. "Apparently, the inmate refused that order from the officer," Hawes said. "I have been informed that the inmate then took a swing at the officer, who used permissable force to have the inmate removed."
However, a witness who wishes to remain anonymous said the corrections officers straddled the inmate, and beat him 5-or-6 times in the face. Hawes says that would not be appropriate force - it would be excessive.
The witness said about 20 people were in the room at the time, and felt threatened. The inmate was handcuffed after that and taken for medical treatment.
