Former North Carolina prison supervisor has been convicted for conspiring to violate an inmate’s civil rights by ordering a correctional officer to physically beat him. Daniel Mitchell, who was a lieutenant at the Federal Correctional Institute Butner Medium II, pleaded guilty earlier this week on a felony charge related to the incident that took place in December 2021.
US Department of Justice stated that Mitchell ordered a correctional officer to “teach a lesson” to an inmate who had allegedly exposed himself and performed a sexual act in front of a female officer. Instead of following the prison’s standard misconduct procedures, Mitchell conspired with another officer to administer physical punishment.
According to the court records, Mitchell and the officer understood the phrase “tune him up” to be a command for a beating. Mitchell specifically advised the officer not to strike the man in the face. The inmate was placed in another cell, and the officer began to batter and kick him until prison staff restrained him. This attack worsened the back condition the man had.
An eye witness reported the beating and, due to this, an investigation was launched by the Office of the Inspector General at the US Department of Justice. Mitchell, as well as the other officer, admitted that they planned and carried out the corporal punishment.
The US Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr. criticized the incident by stating that though corrections officers are subjected to hazardous work environments, violating civil rights undermines the rule of law and endangers other officers.
Mitchell, who oversaw the Special Housing Unit at Butner, faces up to 10 years in prison. He is set for late March sentencing. The identity of the officer involved in the beating was not publicly released, and it was unknown whether he will face charges.
