Phillips State Prison investigation: Correctional officer within use of force guidelines

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced today that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges against a correctional officer who punched an inmate at Phillips State Prison during a scuffle. The D.A.’s office said the correctional officer was within use of force guidelines.

The D.A.’s Office released a video clip of the incident showing the inmate poking, swinging and resisting the correctional officers as he was told to return to his cell. The exchange can be viewed with the downloadable link to the clip here.

The District Attorney’s Office began investigating the incident last month after officials were made aware of the incident following a leaked inmate video.

The District Attorney’s Office released the following statement about its investigation:

“The District Attorney’s Office thoroughly investigated the incident.

The investigation encompassed a review of all videos, including the prison footage, which recorded the entire event, investigative interviews, touring the facility, and meeting with officials. Upon conclusion of the review, it has been determined that there is insufficient evidence to criminally proceed against the correctional officer.

We do find that the incident, as it played out, was profoundly regrettable. However, the correctional officer was within use of force guidelines. As a community, it is critical that persons who are incarcerated are treated humanely.”

“…The role of the District Attorney’s Office to access both sides of the incident and assure that the safety and the rights of the community, which includes the incarcerated and officers, are not violated.”