A newly released video shows Connecticut prison officers striking an inmate, J’Allen Jones, before he died in 2018. Jones, 31, was having a schizophrenic episode and was handcuffed behind his back when the officers hit his legs and torso with their knees and fists.
Incident Details
The video, which is 52 minutes long, shows Jones being pinned down on a bed by an officer while others hold him down. Jones is heard yelling and shouting, including saying, “In the blood of Jesus Christ!” The officers tell Jones to stop resisting and calm down, with one officer saying they are trying to help him.
About 17 minutes into the video, Jones starts having trouble breathing after a spit bag is placed over his head and he is pepper sprayed. Nearly five minutes later, Jones appears to be unconscious as officers struggle to hold him up and put him in a wheelchair.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Department of Correction had sought to keep the video sealed, citing security concerns. However, Jones’ family and the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut called for the video to be released, saying transparency was needed in Jones’ death.
An internal investigation found that excessive force was not used, but the officers and a nurse violated policy by not recognizing Jones was in medical distress for over seven minutes. The officers and nurse received one-day suspensions without pay.
Jones’ family has filed a lawsuit against the officers and the nurse, and the video’s release is part of that lawsuit. The family’s lawyer hopes the video will lead to prison system improvements.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
