Sheriff announces prison transport policy changes following killing of deputy
The Marion County sheriff in Indianapolis has announced changes to a prisoner transport policy following the killing of a sheriff’s deputy during an escape attempt
Sheriff announces prison transport policy changes following killing of deputy
Show all 2Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Marion County sheriff in Indianapolis announced changes to a prisoner transport policy Wednesday following the killing of a sheriff’s deputy during an escape attempt.
Most significantly, Sheriff Kerry Forestal said all off-site medical transports will require two deputies, local news outlets reported.
Deputy John Durm was alone in transporting murder suspect Orlando Mitchell on July 10 when the inmate used the chain of his handcuffs to choke the officer while being returned to the Criminal Justice Center in Indianapolis following a hospital visit, authorities have said.
Mitchell, 34, has been charged with murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against him.
“Staffing has probably got too complacent,” Forestal said. “Because we’re so short-staffed, people will make decisions that aren’t in the best interest."
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office currently is 150 deputies short of full staffing.
“Additional overtime is being used to accommodate the increase in staff required to complete" off-site medical transports, Forestal said.
Such off-site transports will be re-evaluated to see if they can be completed on-site, the sheriff said.
Also, among several other changes, murder suspects will now wear red clothing as a reminder of their potential danger, Forestal said.
The policies were put into effect July 10, the day of Durm's killing, he said. They were not announced until Wednesday.
The sheriff also announced two deputies have been fired and two have been demoted following a review of Durm's killing.
Immediately after the killing, Mitchell then found Durm’s handcuff key, unlocked himself and drove a transport van a short distance from the detention center before crashing into a wooden pole, authorities said. Other deputies then returned him to custody.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.