Jail guard fired, charged with beating shackled inmate

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Authorities say a Florida corrections officer beat a shackled inmate after exchanging insults.

Jacksonville Undersheriff Pat Ivey said 21-year-old Catherine Thompson was arrested Thursday and charged with felony official misconduct and misdemeanour battery. Ivey says Thompson was fired immediately because she was still within her 18-month probationary period.

Authorities say a woman was arrested last Friday for driving with a suspended license. Once at the jail, Ivey says the woman was placed in four-point restraints, meaning her wrists and ankles were bound. Ivey says the woman said something to Thompson that prompted the guard to strike the woman in the face and then continue beating her on the ground.

The attack was reported by two other officers.

Thompson was released shortly after processing. Jail records don’t list an attorney.