Salt Lake County Jail placed on lockdown after officer assault


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Update (Feb. 2, 2016): A verdict delivered on May 28, 2015 after a jury trial declared Jordan Po-Ching not guilty of the charge of assault by a prisoner.SOUTH SALT LAKE — The Salt Lake County Jail was placed on lockdown after an inmate assaulted a correctional officer Monday afternoon.

The Salt Lake County Jail at 3415 S. 900 West was placed on lockdown Monday around 3 p.m. A corrections officer was escorting an inmate back to his cell when he was assaulted by the prisoner, police said. The inmate reportedly became aggressive and argumentative after the officer ended his phone call, and he began assaulting the officer.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder admitted the phone call that got cut off was the jail's fault, which staffers attempted to explain to the inmate, Jordan Po-Ching, 25.

"The conversation was, 'We apologize for that.' And the reason he's upset is because they're billed for these phone calls. I mean, I understand the displeasure. But in normal civil discourse, one recognizes mistakes are made and we move on. (The phone being cut off) is a pretty rare mistake, to my knowledge," Winder said.

Backup security was called and Po-Ching was restrained and placed in solitary confinement. Charges of assault by a prisoner were filed in connection with Po-Ching's assault, police said.

The officer was transported to an area hospital, where he received stitches to his eye and was released in good condition.

Police reported the lockdown was lifted Tuesday at 9:40 a.m.

Po-Ching was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail in December 2013 in connection with aggravated kidnapping, disorderly conduct, driver's license violation, aggravated burglary, robbery and public intoxication.

Contributing: Pat Reavy

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