Prison Guards Accused of Making Inmates Fight for Snacks

Guards allegedly used prisoners in a sick form of entertainment

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Patti McConville

It’s not exactly a gladiator-style prison battle royale, but the contestants emerged bruised and bloodied just the same.

Pennsylvania State Police say three prison guards at York County Prison were arrested for allegedly arranging fights between inmates and bribing them with food, WSYR reported. The guards, David Whitcomb, Mark Haynes, and Daniel Graff, are accused of pitting inmates David Wright and James Hicks against each other in exchange for coffee and food. They would also fight the officers when told.

The inmates said they were being punched to the point of numbness in their arms and legs and sometimes even being choked. They were also subject to other inhumane coercions like having to drink a gallon of milk in an hour, swallowing a spoonful of cinnamon and snorting crushed candy.

Whitcomb, Hands and Graff were charged with official oppression and were placed on unpaid leave.