Associated Press
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. — A central Pennsylvania county jail guard has been suspended with pay and could soon face criminal charges over allegations he assaulted an inmate.
Blair County Prison Warden Michael Johnston tells the Altoona Mirror that Hollidaysburg police have been investigating the allegations.
The inmate, 44-year-old Harry Smith, of Altoona, told the newspaper by phone Tuesday that he was punched, kicked and slammed to the floor, breaking his dentures and injuring his back and neck. Smith is serving a 10-day to six-month sentence imposed in November for his fourth drunken driving conviction.
Smith says he wasn’t resisting the guard when he was allegedly attacked in November and has gone from being “an extremely liked inmate to being scumbag No. 1" since reporting the alleged incident.
Police didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday.