Activist alleges prison abuses
LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - What makes Jon B. Eichelman unusual isn’t that he claims to have been assaulted in prison.
He is unusual in that he reported the assault, Tom Zeager contended this morning.
Eichelman, who was arrested two weeks ago in connection with the “road rage” shooting of a 2-year-old boy, filed a complaint with Lancaster City police that he was attacked by four or five inmates while in the county prison.
He was later released after police realized they had arrested the wrong man.
Eichelman reportedly suffered a fractured eye socket, lacerated liver and three broken ribs in the attack, according to police and Eichelman’s attorney.
Zeager, president of the prisoner advocacy group Justice & Mercy, told the county Prison Board this morning that he has probably heard 50 stories of prison assaults.
“This happens in this prison regularly. This is not an isolated incident,” Zeager told the board, which includes the county commissioners, controller, district attorney, sheriff and a judge.
Justice & Mercy presented to Warden Vincent Guarini this morning an allegation of an inmate who claims he was handcuffed, thrown down a flight of stairs and had his head thrust into a glass window on April 9.
Zeager contended few such assaults are reported because the inmates fear reprisals.
He is unusual in that he reported the assault, Tom Zeager contended this morning.
Eichelman, who was arrested two weeks ago in connection with the “road rage” shooting of a 2-year-old boy, filed a complaint with Lancaster City police that he was attacked by four or five inmates while in the county prison.
He was later released after police realized they had arrested the wrong man.
Eichelman reportedly suffered a fractured eye socket, lacerated liver and three broken ribs in the attack, according to police and Eichelman’s attorney.
Zeager, president of the prisoner advocacy group Justice & Mercy, told the county Prison Board this morning that he has probably heard 50 stories of prison assaults.
“This happens in this prison regularly. This is not an isolated incident,” Zeager told the board, which includes the county commissioners, controller, district attorney, sheriff and a judge.
Justice & Mercy presented to Warden Vincent Guarini this morning an allegation of an inmate who claims he was handcuffed, thrown down a flight of stairs and had his head thrust into a glass window on April 9.
Zeager contended few such assaults are reported because the inmates fear reprisals.
posted by Terry at
6:25 AM
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