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LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) — A 65-year-old prisoner says he was handcuffed when officers attacked him, causing him to be hospitalized for four days, but a prison spokesman disputes the account.
Citing hospital records, the Charlotte Observer (http://bit.ly/1YYn7I8 ) reports that inmate Morlai Sesay suffered fractures to bones following a Feb. 21 incident at Lumberton Correctional Institution, a medium security prison.
Officials said officers were merely trying to subdue Sesay after he pushed a sergeant. Sesay told the newspaper the officers were escorting him to a drug test around 2 a.m. on Feb. 21. He said the officers then tripped him "for no reason." Afterward, the officers kicked him and hit him with batons, he said.
"I busted my head and blood was dripping all down my face," he said.
State prison spokesman Keith Acree said an investigation did not find any inappropriate use of force.
"Sesay's only injury happened when he fell to the floor," Acree said. "Sesay was not struck or kicked by officers."
Sesay was placed in a holding cell after he was injured. He was later taken to three hospitals for tests and recovery. Records from the hospitals show that he suffered one fracture to a bone behind the forehead, a fracture to a bone in his eye socket and a fracture to the base of his skull.
Acree added that state officials haven't decided if they will take action against the prison's employees.
Sesay, who is serving time for breaking and entering, is scheduled to be released Aug. 27.
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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com
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