Four sheriff’s deputies accused of strangling prisoner and encouraging inmates to throw feces as activists say abuse remains widespreadFour California sheriff’s deputies have been accused of “sadistic and terrorizing acts” against inmates, including encouraging prisoners to throw urine and feces at each other, laughing at an assault victim seeking help, strangling an inmate into unconsciousness and intimidating witnesses. The felony assault charges against four Alameda County deputies, accused of victimizing eight prisoners, have provided a window into the violent abuse and misconduct that prisoners’ rights activists say is still commonplace in some jails across the country, including in progressive regions that have pledged reforms. The inmate who committed the assault said he did not hit the “intended target”, who was a different prisoner with a broken arm. Deputies Sarah Krause and Stephen Sarcos, also facing assault charges, were accused of playing an active role in another gassing assault. “These four deputies directed, facilitated, enabled and committed sadistic and terrorizing acts against several men whose protection fell directly within the responsibility of their positions as correctional officers,” the district attorney Nancy O’Malley said in a statement Tuesday.

Source: The Guardian September 05, 2017 23:03 UTC