Jackson said he saw an inmate who did not move away from a window, as instructed, punished with electric shocks. Six officers lined up, one behind the other, with their hands on the shoulder of the one in front of them. The one in front had the shield. They decided they were going to make an example of him. Jackson said prisoners received electric shocks after being forced to strip naked and get down on all fours in the shower while guards sprayed mace in their faces.
Lawyers working on the case say prison officials routinely use tear gas and pepper spray on inmates.
Jackson recalled that the officers at the prison were the youngest he had ever seen. The case is expected to go to trial in early spring of 1999. They say it will create 300 to 500 local jobs and tax revenue. Evans said he supports a private prison in the District to promote family ties among inmates. He said a women s prison especially would help prisoners make a smooth transition back into society at the end of the sentence.