Tuesday, January 8, 2013

A Sedgwick County jail inmate could face another charge after allegedly injuring another inmate during a fight.

Sheriff Jeff Easter held a media briefing Tuesday afternoon, and said an inmate was injured Friday during a fight. He was initially uncooperative as to what happened, and was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Easter says the crime occurred in one of the jail cells he oversees and that he wants to be open about it.

"If it occurred out on the street we'd be telling you about it," he said. "It's a crime that occurred within our facility. We need to tell you about it and what actions we're taking."

While the inmate was being treated, he admitted that he had been beaten during a fight over gambling.

Gambling is not involved, which could get those involved more jail time. As for charges, it depends on how much cooperation detectives get.

"In a setting such as the jail, whether we like it or not, these are folks who have been charged or convicted of crimes and they're going to figure out a way to commit crimes within the jail," Easter said.

The inmate who was injured is still hospitalized under observation with a head injury.

The inmate who injured him could face a charge of aggravated battery. The case remains under investigation.

The Sheriff says it's his goal to make the jail a safer environment despite being filled with people charged with or convicted of crimes.

This is just the most recent in a string of problems at the jail. Last week, James Conklin was charged with unlawful sexual relations with two inmates. Before that, former jailer David Kendal was accused in the sexual assaults of four inmates.