Two New York state prison inmates, Charles Wright, 44, and Eugene Taylor, 32, claim they were subjected to waterboarding and beatings by corrections officers during a days-long lockdown prompted by a prisoner-on-guard assault in October. Filed in December, separate civil lawsuits by Wright and Taylor allege brutal mistreatment at Green Haven Correctional Facility. Their accounts describe pepper spraying, shackling, and waterboarding incidents, leading to claims of torture without just cause. Seeking $20 million in damages, the lawsuits accuse the Department of Corrections of negligent practices and the failure to protect inmates in custody.
Allegations of Unjust Torture and Misconduct
In lawsuits against the state, Charles Wright and Eugene Taylor detail alleged abuses, including beatings and waterboarding, during a lockdown in Green Haven Correctional Facility. Wright’s attorney describes the mistreatment as “pure unadulterated torture.”
Both men, accused of possessing contraband, were transported to another facility where they claim to have been subjected to waterboarding. The lawsuits challenge the Department of Corrections’ use of such techniques for disciplinary purposes.
Seeking $20 million in damages, the inmates accuse prison officials of battery, failure to intervene, and negligent hiring and training practices. The lawsuits highlight concerns about unjustified punishment and abuse of power within the state’s correctional system.
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Past Allegations and Ongoing Litigation
This is not the first instance of New York state corrections officers facing waterboarding accusations. In 2016, inmate Matthew Raymond accused a corrections lieutenant of waterboarding at Auburn Correction Facility, and the civil case is ongoing.
Both Taylor and Wright faced disciplinary actions following the alleged incidents. Wright was found guilty of assaulting staff and possessing contraband, while Taylor was accused of demonstration and gang activity.
In summary, inmate allegations of waterboarding and mistreatment in New York state prisons raise concerns about the use of extreme tactics, prompting legal action against the Department of Corrections.
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