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| Overcrowding cited in assault, injury at jail |
| By Toledo Blade |
| Published: 05/24/2004 |
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Lucas County (Ohio) jail overcrowding contributed to a recent serious assault in which a sleeping inmate was attacked by another inmate over a cot in the facility's booking area. Brian Price, 25, said his jaw was broken in eight places, including a crack splitting his lower jaw. His left eye socket was broken, and he suffered a head injury that required staples. He filed an affidavit charging another inmate, Charles McDuffey, 24, with felonious assault in the May 9 attack. Both men, who are from Toledo, have been released from the jail. "To make a long story short, there's too many people. There's too many people in the jail," corrections administrator Rick Keller said last week. He said 508 inmates were housed in the jail the morning of the incident and the capacity is 419 inmates. Authorities said the assault occurred about 10:15 a.m. in a large holding area in booking. Mr. Price was booked into the jail about seven hours earlier by Maumee police for driving under the influence and three traffic offenses. McDuffey, who could not be reached last night for comment, was booked by Toledo police about 35 minutes before the assault. He had been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and three traffic violations. Mr. Price said he was asleep when McDuffey entered the booking cell. McDuffey woke him up by kicking the cot he was sleeping on. McDuffey told him he wanted the cot. Mr. Price said he refused and went back to sleep. He said McDuffey then began punching and kicking him. When deputies became aware of the assault, they separated the men. A nurse treated Mr. Price, who was then taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. McDuffey was placed in a single cell. Mr. Price blamed an overcrowded jail for the attack. At the time of the incident, he estimated about 12 people were sharing the approximately 12-foot by 30-foot cell. Sheriff James Telb said he feels badly for Mr. Price, but said, "I don't think there's anything we could have done to prevent [the assault]." |
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