Official: Guards made inmates lick toilets clean

[almaty 19]

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AP) -- Prosecutors issued arrest warrants Tuesday for eight former prison employees accused of abusing inmates, including forcing some to clean toilets with their tongues.

The eight were among 13 prison employees who had already been fired from the 605-inmate medium and minimum security at the Hendry Correctional Institution in the Everglades.

The previous warden and an assistant warden resigned, and three others were reassigned after an inmate was beaten and choked by guards in March.

State prisons chief Jim McDonough said the warrants include charges of battery and failing to report inmate abuse against former guards William Thiessen, Phillip Barger and Randy Hazen, Gabriel Cotilla, Kevin Filipowicz, Ruben Ibarra and Stephen Whitney. Fired guard James Brown was charged with grand theft.

Some inmates were given choices of eating their food off the floor or providing sexual favors to guards, McDonough said.

"We had cases where inmates were compelled under threat of force to clean a commode with their tongues," McDonough said. "These were improper, illegal heinous and despicable acts and it was done apparently in an organized and conspiratorial fashion."

McDonough said the FBI and the U.S. attorney were also looking into civil rights violations.

None of the eight men could immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

Thiessen, Barger, Hazen and Whitney's phone numbers were unlisted. Nobody answered at a number under Ibarra's name. A number listed under Cotilla's name was connected to a fax machine, and there was not enough information to locate a number for Brown, who has a common name.

It was not known Tuesday whether any of the men had hired attorneys.

[LovinLiberia 0]

[Nagishkaw 510]

I thought the Godfather passed away.

[almaty 19]

hmmm..sounds like some of the guards there, did their training at Gitmo

[isleta521 5]

Dont do the crime if you cant lick the grime

[almaty 19]

Dont do the crime if you cant lick the grime

[MaydayDas 1]

at least they had clean toilets

[Ban Hammer 13,335]

Some inmates were given choices of eating their food off the floor or providing sexual favors to guards, McDonough said.

tossed salad for dinner again?

[mawilson 2,133]

at least they had clean toilets

Dirty mouth?

For a good clean feeling, no matter what!

[Jasman0717 9]

Yuk

[isleta521 5]

at least they had clean toilets

Dirty mouth?

For a good clean feeling, no matter what!

Potty mouths!!

[Amby 490]

wow don't put crazies in charge of prisoners I guess

[Carlawarla 1]

That is disgusting. Everyone, including inmates deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

Carla

[Ban Hammer 13,335]

That is disgusting. Everyone, including inmates deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

Carla

and for all

[Robor007 0]

That is disgusting. Everyone, including inmates deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

Carla

I agree they went too far but I'm guessing the inmates weren't treating the guards with respect and dignity either. I know 2 people who work as guards in a jail and the stories they tell...