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| Ex-inmate wins award in lawsuit over abuse |
| By Philadelphia Inquirer |
| Published: 08/02/2004 |
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A federal jury in Camden awarded $42,000 last week to a former Bayside State Prison inmate who said he was beaten by guards during a 1997 lockdown at the Cumberland County facility. It was the second time in seven trials connected to allegations of guard abuse in which the jury found for the inmate. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed an eighth case. The judgment, announced last Tuesday after the jury deliberated for about 21/2 hours, could reach as much as $104,000 after the judge decides how much should be paid to attorneys. Last month, a jury awarded $18,000 to former inmate Laverna White, who was jailed on burglary and drug offenses. The cases stem from a monthlong lockdown at the medium-security prison following the 1997 murder of guard Fred Baker, who was stabbed by an inmate wielding a makeshift knife. After the lockdown, inmates began reporting systematic abuses and beatings to the Department of Corrections, the news media, and organizations such as the NAACP. Two state inquiries, as well as federal and internal investigations, found no wrongdoing by the guards. In five cases, including one brought by Frederick Walker, a former Newark police officer jailed for armed robbery, the juries ruled that the inmates' rights were not violated. Some of the jurors in the Walker case later told the judge they were troubled by the "unprofessional" conduct of the guards, who were shown on a videotape dragging a naked Walker down a flight of stairs after he had threatened them with a footlocker. Inmate Tavious Lindsey, who won this week's jury award, said the SOG officers beat his head and his genital area with batons and tried to gouge his left eye. The state Attorney General's Office, which is defending against the lawsuits, had no comment other than to say it is preparing to defend the remaining lawsuits. More than 350 inmates are suing. |
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