CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Clayton County jailer has been stripped of his badge and fired after contributing to the assault of an inmate, according to the sheriff's office.
On Oct. 28, while investigating the assault of a detainee, the sheriff said correctional officer Jalen Clausell facilitated it by intentionally allowing inmates to have access to the man to hurt him while working in the jail.
The four inmates are now facing aggravated assault charges. Clausell has been arrested and is accused of conspiracy to commit a crime, aggravated assault, reckless conduct, and violation of oath by a public officer. Clayton County jail records show he was released from custody on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, former correctional officer Sean Hollinshead was also accused of planning and carrying out an attack on an inmate that left them with life-threatening injuries. The next day, the sheriff also had Officer Tabitah Clifton and nurse Jessica Castellanos arrested for their roles in the same attack on the inmate.
Allen said such arrests are an example of his commitment to "cleaning both the streets and jail of Clayton County." Earlier this month, he expressed how he wants to improve the deteriorating jail's safety, overcrowding and overall conditions. He gave 11Alive an exclusive tour of the facilities, adding that he'll do what he can to get the proper staffing and hopes commissioners can support his efforts with proper funding.
In September, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff called for a civil rights investigation into the jail to look into the mistreatment and abuse of inmates, expressing that issues seemed to be part of a larger, systemic problem.
The sheriff's office has made more than 3,430 arrests. Since May, seven of those arrests were workers under the sheriff's office. The office has also asked for more than $8 million in emergency funding for jail improvements.