39 SCI inmates allege physical, mental abuse at hands of correctional officers

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – A second, amended complaint has been filed in a lawsuit alleging inmate abuse at Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI). Davis et. al v. Neal et. al originally alleged two attacks by SCI officers against inmates. However, the case now has 39 plaintiffs, alleging abuse from 40 SCI correctional officers.

“We have a pattern in practice of abuse and a culture of abuse at this institution. You have to remember, we started this complaint in December last year with just two brave plaintiffs who came forward, alleging violent attacks at SCI. Since then, our complaint has only grown enormously,” said Legal Director for the ACLU of Delaware, Dwayne Bensing.

Bensing says the newly-shared alleged attacks are only more violent than the original two. Multiple plaintiffs allege incidents of being pepper sprayed and assaulted. One plaintiff says he was denied a shower for days, despite being covered in blood and feces from a previous attack. Another says communication with his family was cut off, and was told “I hope you die in there” by a correctional officer.

Since the original suit was filed, Bensing says inmates who have stepped forward with their stories have face retaliation from correctional officers. “As soon as people assert their rights if they file a grievance, or they complain that they’re not receiving proper medical treatment for the abuse that they’ve suffered at the hands of correctional officers, they are then retaliatated against. They’re placed in the hole – the solitary housing unit,” he said.

Bensing says the ACLU only engages in complaints where they believe there have been broad violations of Constitutional rights. “Each of our plaintiffs are entitled to be made whole. No person who is incarcerated in Delaware should be subject to this kind of abuse. We have allegations of really life changing and life altering damages,” said Bensing. “I think that this case will put other correctional officers on notice, those who are serving at other facilities. This kind of activity is not to be tolerated.”

47 ABC did reach out to the Delaware Department of Corrections for its response. We did not hear back.