Four prison workers at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Holmesburg are facing federal charges for allegedly covering up an assault of a naked inmate who was beaten so badly that he needed emergency surgery.
Correctional officers Jahaan Andrews, 34, Oneil Murray, 31, and Mumin Hart, 43, and their supervisor, Lt. Georgia Malloy, 58, are charged with conspiracy and falsifying records after the alleged assault of a man who was being held at the prison ahead of his trial.
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On Oct. 6, 2020, the three correctional officers allegedly escorted the inmate to his cell to conduct a strip search after Andrews had detained him for wearing the wrong color jumpsuit. They then knocked the man to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked him, according to an indictment. The man suffered injuries to his face, ribs and scrotum that required emergency surgery.
Prosecutors said a fourth correctional officer, Ronald Granville, has been charged elsewhere for his alleged role in the beating.
Andrews, Murray, Hart and Malloy allegedly falsified reports required after any use of force, exaggerating the aggression of the inmate and withholding information about the correctional officers' use of force with the intent to "impede, obstruct and influence" an FBI investigation into the matter, prosecutors alleged.
Andrews, Murray and Hart also are charged with deprivation of rights under color of law, and Andrews faces an additional charge of making a false statement to the FBI.
"The Philadelphia Department of Prisons is fully cooperating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the arrest of three correctional officers and their former supervisor for their alleged roles in a 2020 incident," said John Mitchell, communications director with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. "Our responsibility is to ensure the safe, secure and lawful custody of those entrusted to our care and we will not allow that standard to be compromised under any circumstances."
The FBI and the Philadelphia Department of Prisons investigated the case. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mitchell said that the department has recently set up a special investigations unit to prevent similar occurrences from happening.
"The actions of a few will not detract from the integrity and professionalism of our staff who serve with honor every day," Mitchell said. "We will always work alongside our law enforcement partners to address anything that detracts from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons."
This story has been updated.