By Sandy Hodson
Augusta Chronicle
AUGUSTA, Ga. — An attack on Richmond County Sheriff deputies by inmates capped a week of violent incidents inside the jail at the Law Enforcement Center, Maj. Gene Johnson said Monday.
The eight inmates facing new criminal charges in Friday’s melee had their first appearances Monday before Richmond County Magistrate Court Presiding Judge H. Scott Allen. All eight are housed on the west cell block on the sixth floor, which is reserved for those accused of committing major violent crimes.
The trouble in the cell block started Tuesday when inmates made a grab for food trays, Johnson said. The officers in charge punished the inmates by denying them access to an in-house “store” where they can purchase items such as candy and personal items.
On Wednesday, the inmates tried to rush out of their cell block in an attempt to get to the east side and fight with the inmates there, Johnson said. That resulted in two days on lockdown - inmates were not allowed out of individual cells into the common area of the cell block. The next morning, an inmate turned in a homemade knife - or shank - another prisoner had fashioned with wire and an Ace bandage, Johnson said.
The lockdown ended Friday morning. That evening, when deputies on duty on the west cell block tried to break up a card game that included gambling - which is prohibited - the inmates refused to stop, Johnson said. The inmates then attacked, the three officers on duty reported. The deputies had no weapons to defend themselves, Johnson said, but they were able to call for backup. Johnson said all 31 men in the cell block were involved.
Read full story: Jail unrest escalated into fight