BIRMINGHAM, AL — A former inmate housed on the mental health unit of Jefferson County Jail has filed a federal civil lawsuit claiming he was brutally beaten by jail deputies in an incident captured on surveillance video.
According to the complaint, the inmate was assaulted in June 2023, after deputies entered his cell to investigate a reported water leak. The lawsuit alleges that he was sprayed at close range with a chemical agent, then repeatedly struck with batons and kicked, despite being unarmed and not resisting.
Details of the Jefferson County Jail Beating
- One deputy allegedly hit the inmate 25 times.
- A second deputy reportedly delivered 58 baton strikes.
- The inmate was also kicked nine times during the incident.
The victim was denied immediate medical attention, the lawsuit states. He was eventually transferred to UAB Hospital for treatment. The lawsuit accuses jail medical staff of failing to provide timely care, violating basic duty-of-care standards.
Lawsuit Alleges Excessive Force and Civil Rights Violations
Filed in federal court, the lawsuit names four deputies and includes allegations of excessive force, malicious intent, and medical negligence. One deputy is accused of acting “sadistically and maliciously,” a phrase commonly used in civil rights litigation under 42 U.S. Code § 1983.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the involved deputies were disciplined but not terminated. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the agency declined to provide further comment.