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York County Prison board, correctional officers target of federal lawsuit

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The York County Prison Board and a dozen correctional officers are the target of a  lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Harrisburg....

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The York County Prison Board and a dozen correctional officers are the target of a  lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Harrisburg.

In the lawsuit attorney Devon Jacob alleges that from 2008 through 2013 events labeled the "Retard Olympics" and the "Fight Club" were established and occurred regularly at the York County Prison.

The lawsuit names Corrections Officers Adam Marcini, Shane Druck and Chad Abel as the individuals who started the "Retard Olympics".  Among the alleged activities were wrestling matches between inmates, between inmates and corrections officers, inmates compelled to drink large amounts of milk until they vomit and punching inmates in the arms and legs.  The lawsuit claims other corrections officers knew what was happening and failed to stop it.

The lawsuit also states that the Plaintiff in the case, David Wright was an inmate at the prison from May 20 through June 30, 2013.  That all the named defendants in the suit should have known that Wright had been diagnosed as suffering form certain mental illnesses, including but not limited to, major repressive disorder, bi-polar disorder, psychosis, dissociative disorder and was regularly taking medication.  The lawsuit contends that Wright was targeted because of his mental illnesses to participate in the Retard Olympics and Fight Club.  It said that Wright participated in the Retard Olympics and Fight Club for fear that if he did not do so, he would be further harmed and/or placed in disciplinary custody.  The lawsuit went on to describe Wright's participation and that it was captured on York County Prison's video surveillance system.

The entire lawsuit: Complaint 5-4-15

The lawsuit was filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Attorney Jacob says his client is asking for compensatory damages, punitive damages, reasonable attorney's fees and costs and a jury trial.

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