Prison officials suspended in shooting of inmates

As Pipersburg and Robateau bed down for their first of what may be many nights in Hattieville Prison, they find themselves in an institution that is itself the subject of controversy. News 5 has learned that as the result of alleged misconduct during an attempted escape by several prisoners at the end of May, three prison officers have been suspended from duty at half-pay. It was first reported that the prisoners were shot in the leg by guards as they attempted to break out of the compound. Further investigations, however, have revealed that the men were intentionally shot at close range by prison officer Ian Daley long after they were captured and returned to custody. Other prison officials are accused of participating in the subsequent cover up. The case, first publicised by the Human Rights Commission, is currently the subject of investigations by the Department of Corrections as well as the Ombudsman’s office.