Manhattan Corrections Officer Brutality

The job of a corrections officer is to supervise and control prison and jail inmates. A significant part of their job is to also ensure the safety of inmates. In New York corrections officers are employed by state or local government. Unfortunately, far too often, instead of ensuring the safety of inmates, corrections officers commit violent acts against inmates, leading to serious injury and wrongful death. Because inmates who report corrections officer brutality often suffer retaliation, a lot of prisoner abuse goes unreported and the cycle of violence by corrections officers continues. The experienced Manhattan corrections officer brutality lawyers at Stephen Bilkis & Associates take inmate abuse seriously and believe strongly that everyone is entitled to be treated humanely. If you or a loved one have been brutalized while in prison or jail, contact us to discuss your case.

Being a corrections officer can be a dangerous job as many inmates are violent. However, corrections officers are still required to make sure that all inmates are safe. Corrections officers are permitted to use force and violence, but only when necessary and only to the extent necessary to control a situation. In all other situations, violence is strictly prohibited. Examples off the inmate abuse includes:

• Use of excessive force. When law enforcement, including corrections officers, use excessive force and cause injury to an inmate, they can be held civilly liable. Excessive force occurs when a corrections officer uses more force and violence than they reasonably believe is necessary to control an inmate, to protect themselves, or to protect others from harm.
• Assault. An unprovoked and unnecessary violent attack on an inmate is unlawful and can lead to civil liability.
• Sexual assault. Sexual assault by corrections officers against inmates is a significant problem. Note that it is a crime for a corrections officer to have sex with an inmate, even if the inmate initiated it or appeared to consent.
• Organizing violence. As an experienced Manhattan corrections officer brutality lawyers can explain, another type of corrections officer brutality is encouraging and organizing inmates to attack other inmates.
• Failing to protect. Because corrections officers have a duty to keep inmates safe and maintain order, they would have violated their duty if they choose to ignore inmates assaultin. or sexual assaulting other inmates.

Corrections officer brutality has led to inmates suffering serious injuries, including broken books, head trauma, organ damage, paralysis, loss of hearing, and loss of sight. Inmates have even died as a result of corrections officer brutality.

Violence against inmates by corrections officers is not only inhumane, it is illegal. They are held to the same standards as any other person—they are not allowe. to assault a prisoner, sexually assault a prisoner, encourage inmates to assault each other, or stand by while inmates assault each other.

Corrections officers who brutalize inmates can and should face disciplinary action by their superiors, including termination. They also can face criminal prosecution for assault, sexual assault, and homicide.

Furthermore, they can face civil liability. Inmates who have been brutalized because of actions of a corrections officers have the right to contact an experienced corrections officer brutality attorney in Manhattan and file a civil lawsuit. Through a civil suit, victims can seek monetary damages for their physical and psychological injuries, and they can seek punitive damages for the outrageous action. of the corrections officer who brutalized them. The family of inmates who were killed as a result of the illegal actions of corrections officers can also seek justice through civil action.

Part of a prison or jail sentence is not to be assaulted, brutalized, and neglected by prison staff. Regardless of the crime and regardless of a corrections officer’s personal feelings about an inmate, they do not have the right to brutalize any inmate. If you or a loved one has been mistreated by a corrections officer, contact an experienced corrections officer brutality attorney serving Manhattan at Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We understand the law related to inmate rights and understand the unique procedures related to suing a government entity. We represent clients in the Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, and Westchester County.