Former guards slam prison, culture of violence

11-13-2010 Idaho:

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Three former employees at Idaho's only private prison say staff routinely failed to protect inmates, and in some cases put inmates in situations knowing they'd be beaten by others.

The statements from the former Idaho Correctional Center guards are in affidavits filed in a federal lawsuit against the prison's operator, Corrections Corporation of America.

The lawsuit was filed against CCA last year by inmate Marlin Riggs, who was badly beaten in his cell.

The three former employees claim the prison is understaffed, and steeped in a culture of laziness and lack of concern for inmate welfare.

They say staff at the prison, referred to as "Gladiator School," frequently assigned inmates to cell blocks knowing they'd likely be beaten.

CCA has denied the allegations in the lawsuit and is asking a judge to dismiss it. ..SOurce.. by KHQ 06 hd