Opinion ID: 66751
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Inmate Altercation

Text: Bennett, a black woman, works for CCSD as a corrections officer at the Chatham County Jail. In August 2004, Bennett purchased a Dell computer for personal use that was charged mistakenly to Chatham County. After an investigation, on March 23, 2005, Bennett was suspended for three days without pay for failing to correct the error. 2 On November 16, 2005, Bennett was disciplined for her actions in an inmate altercation. On September 12, 2005, Bennett encountered inmate Mark Prestonback, who was not following Bennett’s orders to return to his cell. When it appeared to Bennett that Prestonback was ready to fight, she called for emergency assistance. Private Glen Williams and Officer Tony Farmer responded. When Williams attempted to restrain Prestonback, an altercation ensued. Bennett and Farmer joined the scuffle, and eventually Prestonback was placed in restraints. During the altercation, Bennett injured her ankle. On September 21, 2005, Bennett advised her shift commander that she had a medical appointment to treat her ankle and would arrive late to work. Sergeant Robert Brooks issued Bennett a counseling memorandum advising Bennett that she should have notified her supervisors in advance before taking non-emergency leave. On September 23, 2005, Bennett filed a grievance alleging she received the counseling memorandum because she was a black woman.