Ex-inmates sue over jail beating, blaming overcrowding
PICKENS, S.C. (AP) – Two former inmates who say they were severely beaten at an overcrowded South Carolina jail are suing the sheriff’s office.
The Greenville News reports Brett Ferguson and Adam Brodsky blame the longstanding overcrowding issues for the attacks, and said Pickens County jail staff didn’t intervene.
The sheriff’s office has blamed the inmates’ behavior on the assaults. While the agency acknowledged overcrowded jail conditions, it said it couldn’t be held accountable for others’ actions.
Attorney Kyle White represents both plaintiffs, and said they weren’t willing to comment publicly.
The lawsuit says the jail is intended to house just 91 inmates, but regularly houses more than 200. A new facility designed to house more than 300 has been under development since 2017. Sheriff Rick Clark says it will likely open by June.
