Video Shows Freely Roaming Inmates Beating Guards

PHOENIX — A brutal string of attacks on guards working at a Phoenix-area prison are being blamed partly on a history of faulty locks. Prison officials say the locks are being tampered with by inmates but others claim they were broken and never fixed.

Either way, at least 15 correction officers have been assaulted at the complex in the past six months because of this lock issue, according to ABC15. Shocking video obtained by the broadcasting affiliate shows one assault taking place after a group freely walked in and out of their cells.

Documents show dozens of doors stayed unfixed for at least five years. Dept. of Corrections Charles Ryan says of the lapse in maintenance: “It costs money, and it takes time. We receive about $5 million a year in building renewal, and there are other projects that also had to be evaluated.”

An inmate was killed during an incident last June. Video from that incident shows inmates walking into his cell multiple times the night of his death. He died four days later from the injuries.

The Dept. of Corrections said in a January meeting between the officer's union and the prison's administration they will begin fixing doors in July.

Read the entire report on ABC15.com