Correctional officers indicted in assault
Five correctional officers at the city’s booking center, including a high ranking official with 16 years experience, have been indicted on charges of assault for allegedly beating a female inmate, the state prison system said on Monday.
“We cannot tolerate this type of behavior, here or in any of our correctional divisions,” said Gary Maynard, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. “Even in a very difficult environment, correctional staff must always act with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.”
The charges stem from an incident in January at the state-run Central Booking and Intake Center, which processes arrestees. Officials said a 26-year-old woman who faced minor disorderly conduct charges was beaten several times and in several different locations in the facility.
In a statement released Monday, prison officials said that “a number of correctional officers used unnecessary and inappropriate force against the woman multiple times.” The victim was taken to a hospital and treated and release with no serious injuries, officials said.
The statement from Maynard said staff members did not report the alleged assault. In January, eight corrections officers, including the acting warden, were suspended. The warden has since retired and was not among the officers indicted.
Those indicted on charges of first-degree assault were identified as Larry Morris, a 42-year-old acting major; Kimberly Livingston, 31; Shannon Rivies, 24; Aleesha Edmond, 22; and Torrence Taylor, 23.
Here is a statement from state prison officials:
Five correctional officers, including an acting major, were indicted Friday by a Baltimore grand jury for their alleged roles in the use of unjustified, excessive force on a female detainee at the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center (BCBIC) in January.
All five are charged with first degree assault. Eight correctional officers were placed on administrative leave in the wake of the incident, and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit (IIU) has been working with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office in the ensuing months on the criminal case. (The State’s Attorney’s Office will handle inquiries relating to their part in the criminal probe.)
Thanks in part to tips called into the Central Booking hotline, Maryland Division of Pretrial Detention and Services (DPDS) and IIU investigators had identified suspects within hours of the incident, suspending them from duty and notifying the State’s Attorney, which began a criminal investigation that eventually led to grand jury involvement. Three of the officers placed on administrative leave by DPSCS have not been criminally charged, but all eight are pending termination.
“We acted swiftly because we will not tolerate any unjustified use of force against detainees, period,” said Wendell France, Commissioner of Pretrial which operates BCBIC. “There are proper rules of engagement when using appropriate force dealing with detainees. We expect our officers to apply these rules in a professional manner and only when necessary.”
The indicted officers were all assigned to the booking area. They are:
Larry Morris, acting major, 42 16 years of service
Kimberly Livingston, 31 9 years of service
Shannon Rivies, 24 5 years of service
Aleesha Edmond, 22 3years of service
Terrence Taylor, 23 3 years of service
The incident in question began early on a Saturday morning (January 8), when a 26-year old woman brought into Central Booking on disorderly conduct and other charges was being processed. Investigators believe that a number of correctional officers used unnecessary and inappropriate force against the woman multiple times, and in several different locations. The woman was eventually taken to a local hospital, and was released with no serious injuries. The incident was never reported by on-duty staff----a breech in proper procedure---including the shift commander, a 16-year veteran who is one of the individuals indicted.
“We cannot and will not tolerate this type of behavior, here or in any of our correctional divisions,” said DPSCS Secretary Gary Maynard, whose Department also includes state prisons and pre-release centers in the Division of Correction and Patuxent Institution, a maximum-security treatment prison. “Even in a very difficult environment, correctional staff must always act with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.”
The Division of Pretrial Detention and Services includes Central Booking---one of the busiest booking facilities in the nation-- and the Baltimore City Detention Center. DPDS employs approximately 1,500 people. At any given time, the facilities house between three and four thousand people awaiting trial in the City of Baltimore, and a few inmates sentenced to terms in the Division of Correction.
Comments
What was the report about 200 officers being suspended from the force in the last year?
Is this outfit that corrupt?
Posted by: Anonymous | May 2, 2011 4:14 PM
HOW rediculous is this, indicting Correctional Officers for allegedly assaulting some inmate who was already arrested for disorderly conduct. Indict the Commisioner for insufficient training. Indict the Governor for low wages and long hours Correctional Officers work and inform the public when you come to jail do not spit on, throw bodily fluids on, hit, kick or punch a Correctional Officer because you shall and you will get your ass kicked.
Posted by: GOD | May 2, 2011 6:02 PM
I am a child of one of the correctional officers and i strongly dissagree with some of your ""facts"" that at you supposely found to be true. My mother and her fellow co-workers indeed did report this incident. It breaks my heart to know that the ''higher'' officials dont care 2 cents about the families that are being included in this incident. I sm a minor and for i cannot say some things that i am feeling but trust and believe these officers are coming with their A game so be perpared!
Posted by: annonymous | May 2, 2011 10:05 PM
Trying living in another country if you think this is corrupt.
Posted by: deltasweetiepi | May 3, 2011 8:25 AM
We are not corrupt we take abuse everyday the police bring in people that want to fight us at every step.We battle all day it is not the Shawshank Redemption ok when you walk behind that steel gate your life is in jeopardy. I have been assaulted had urine thrown on me even had my family threatened Baltimore is a small city and a lot of the population gets locked up repeatedly so we as officers become known. look at it like this police are the hunters they bring the animals to the zoo we are the zoo keepers we have to live with what the hunters bring us this job is not easy to explain or do but it is my job and this sickens me the girl came in spitting and combative Mr.Peter Hermann they tried to calm her down but were being attack has anyone just spit on you in the course of you work day or even punched you at work this is what we face daily the whole story is not being told they are telling you that the girls mother is a correctional officer yeah these are the things no one says the media just has one end of the story
Posted by: Central Booking Officer | May 3, 2011 8:44 AM
Forgot to mention this same inmate "spit" in 2 of the officers face, so force was necessary, also this same inmate has since been arrested at least 3 times for disorderly conduct and assault. Reports were infact written, and here is the takeaway inmate mom is a Corrections personnel at Patuxent who is friends with Corrections Commissioner thats why its a big deal HA !!!!
Posted by: excorrectionslave | May 4, 2011 5:34 PM
co's have to deal with the dregs of society. and u want to coddle these misfits. while her mama was discipling folks in jail, he obviously was neglecting her own ghetto ass child. i know some of the officers involved, and don't know where they did anything wrong or not, but u couldn't pay me to do their work. i have worked as a nurse in the corrections facilites and that was horrible enough. god speed to the family of theses officers, and may that young lady get her ass kicked on the streets of balto. as she most assuredly deserves
Posted by: Anonymous | May 5, 2011 4:24 PM
As a former CO at BCDC this story is just rediculous. You go to work, deal with nothing but BS all day long, and its OK for you to be assulted, but heaven forbid if you even yell at an inmate. Its ashame that politics need to jeprodize the safety and livelyhood of these brave men and women. For shame.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 6, 2011 11:22 AM