A disturbing cellphone photo revealed the dysfunction that is allowed to occur in American prisons. According to News 12 in Augusta, Georgia, the photo was captured at the Burruss Correctional Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia.
The photo shows Cortez Berry, 18, kneeling on the floor with a makeshift dog collar around his neck. Berry’s eye is swollen shut and it’s apparent that he was attacked.Two other prisoners stand over him.
The photo was taken by a fellow inmate who used a cellphone that was illegally smuggled into the prison. The picture was uploaded on Facebook and soon went viral.
Berry’s family members noticed the photo online and notified his mother. Berry’s mother was infuriated by the photo and took her complaints to the Department of Corrections.
Berry’s aunt was able to visit him over the weekend and he told her that he was beaten by 10 other inmates who also choked him until he was unconscious. He also revealed that the attack occurred at 3 p.m. and he didn’t get checked by medical staff until 9:45 p.m.
Berry’s family wants an explanation and are considering taking legal action since negligence was shown by the guards who control the facility.
Since the image went viral, the Georgia Department of Corrections has put a section of the Burruss Correctional Training Center on lockdown. An investigation is currently taking place.
