Staff Misconduct
This topic features news, training and information related to cases involving potential or perceived misconduct in corrections. This section serves the important function of pointing out, not pointing fingers, when a CO has gone outside the lines.
The Travis County CO was terminated the same day he was arrested and charged with bringing contraband into a correctional facility
Investigators found the corrections officer’s actions were improper but not criminal under state or federal law
Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake met dozens of court-ordered reforms years after allegations of excessive force and abuse
The inmate had visible injuries and was provided medical attention
Valentino Rodriguez Jr. was “throwing up all the time at work and hyperventilating” from depression and PTSD
Former prisoners, advocates and federal investigators have long raised concerns about the office’s effectiveness
Four sheriff’s officers and a nurse were charged in the 2019 death of Paul Bulthouse
Twenty lawsuits were filed by current and former inmates who say they were direct victims of sexual misconduct
The lawsuit claims the CO had a history of similar attacks on new medical staff as a “form of training exercise”
Two inmates alleged physical and mental abuse, threats and harassment and the use of racial slurs by COs
The CO was previously fired for her role in an earlier incident in which a suspected burglar was mistakenly released in 2019
It’s the Commission of Correction’s third lawsuit attempt to force the sheriff to abide by the rules imposed on local jails
The judge made her ruling after reviewing dozens of declarations submitted on behalf of disabled inmates
According to officials, the officers used their feet and a collapsible baton to assault the unnamed inmate
Willie Hedden entered the plea to two counts of civil rights violations and one count of providing misleading information
The charges arise from an incident that occurred after a federal pre-trial detainee reportedly squirted a mixture of urine, yogurt and milk onto a CO
A colleague who witnessed the incident said the CO slapped the inmate after the inmate cursed at her
A report that found wardens referred just 541 complaints out of more than 50,000 to the new internal affairs unit during a five month period
Officials seized a cellphone and charger, marijuana, tobacco, lighter and the suspected synthetic drug K2 from inmates
The COs accepted cash bribes from members of a gang in exchange for helping smuggle K2-soaked papers into the jail
Deputies seized synthetic marijuana, prescription drugs and nearly an ounce of meth
A review found that wardens “largely avoided referring staff misconduct grievances to the new unit”
Justin Rodriguez faces two felony charges, including a conspiracy count; each count carries one to 10 years in prison
“There is a strong culture of silence in the prison system,” an attorney representing two women said
Ghislaine Maxwell claims a CO physically abused her and then she was punished for complaining about it
The charges come weeks after the attack made headlines when victims came forward to say they were beaten and sexually assaulted
“I’m outraged by what happened ... we need to understand exactly what happened,” Gov. Phil Murphy said
About 30 officers have been placed on paid leave, according to the corrections officers union
The inmate suffered a broken jaw and teeth, was taken to a hospital and died two days later
Francois Kopca is facing three counts of felony forgery after depositing several stolen checks into his credit union account
An official with the Department of Correction said they would review the case “to determine appropriate action”
Schenectady County Court charged Eugene Sellie with two counts each of felony assault and official misconduct
The suit accuses the sheriff of doing too little to address repeated concerns about jail conditions and the mistreatment of inmates
