MARYLAND – A U.S. District Judge sentenced a former officer at Roxbury Correction Institution to two years and six months in prison for his role in conspiring with other correction officers to assault an inmate in 2008.
Tyson Hinckle pleaded guilty on Jan. 9, 2014, to conspiring to violate inmate Kenneth Davis’ civil rights. According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Hinckle acknowledged that, after he and other day shift officers conspired to assault Davis, they beat the inmate in order to punish him.
There have been 16 current or former officers Roxbury Correction Institution who have been convicted for beating Davis.
Hinckle also admitted that this assault on March 9, 2008, was consistent with practices at Roxbury Corrections, where officers from three consecutive shifts would beat an inmate who had previously assaulted an officer.
Hinckle also admitted that he and other officers tried to cover up their involvement in the assault of Davis.
“Every person in America has the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to protect this right by prosecuting correctional officers who violate the rights of inmates.”
The case was investigated by the FBI.