Suit says guards made inmates fight 'gladiator-style' in St. Louis jailST. LOUIS • Guards in the St. Louis jail known as the City Workhouse forced inmates to engage in “gladiator-style combat,” bet on the fights and used inmates to punish other inmates, a federal civil suit filed today claims.
The suit, filed on behalf of seven inmates who were attackers, victims or both, says that at least one attack was caught on camera.
Some inmates named in the suit were both victim and attacker, the suit claims. Lawyers for those inmates say guards sometimes used promises of special privileges, extra food and snacks to enlist an attacker. Other times, they say, an inmate was himself threatened with attack unless he agreed to fight.
The lawsuit seeks class status to represent all inmates who may have been involved. It also asks a judge to order the removal of prisoners from the workhouse and for $150 million or more in damages.
Sam Dotson, St. Louis' director of operations, had not yet seen the suit when interviewed by a reporter. He said that the incident on the surveillance tape had been brought to the attention of police and prosecutors by jail staff and officials, and that the guards were immediately placed on leave and criminally charged.
Dotson said that the city is continuing to investigate. Whatever they find, he said, “We're going to expose it. . . and bring it to the proper authorities.”
Responding to the claims of gladiator-style fighting, Dotson said, “I haven't seen anything that shows that it was an organized event.”
Lawyers said that one of the incidents prompted charges against two correctional officers in June: Elvis Maurice Howard, 32, of the 5400 block of Partridge Avenue, and Dexter Brinson, 45, of the 4900 block of Northland Place. Charging documents accuse the men of escorting an inmate to another cell and watching as he punched another inmate for about a minute.
The victim told staff that he didn't report the attack because “the staff allowed it,” charging documents claim.
Brinson's lawyer did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Howard's lawyer, Marc Johnson, said that he had not seen the suit and could not comment.
The inmate's lawyers said that the incident was uncovered when a jail employee was reviewing surveillance tape while looking into an unrelated death. That employee then contacted Director of Public Safety Eddie Roth, who contacted police, they said.
A third inmate reported the incident to workhouse staff, according to court documents.
The guards face charges of first-degree burglary, third-degree assault and obstructing government operations.
