Jailhouse ‘horseplay’ leads to criminal investigation in Sanpete County

MANTI, Utah (ABC4) — Officials have launched a criminal investigation after discovering “horseplay” had taken place in the Sanpete County Jail‘s kitchen.

According to a press release from the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office, a correctional officer was searching inmate kitchen workers before moving them back to their housing units at the end of their shifts. During their search, the officer reported finding small bruises and welts on one of the inmate workers.

The worker allegedly told the officer that the marks were a result of a contracted food industries employee in the kitchen poking him with his fingers or using his knuckles to hit him.

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“During the interviews with inmate kitchen workers, investigators learned one of the contracted industries employees engaged in behavior described as horseplay with the inmates,” said Sanpete County Sheriff Jared Buchanan in the press release.

The alleged horseplay reportedly became more egregious over time, eventually leading to the marks that correctional officers found.

Buchanan confirmed a criminal investigation into the contracted employee’s actions was started immediately, led by the Ephraim Police Department. That investigation is still ongoing. Buchanan said his office intends to cooperate fully with the investigation and will support any findings and prosecution that stem from the investigation.

The contracted employee has also been removed and is no longer allowed to work, according to Buchanan.

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“Sanpete County Jail has a zero tolerance for any inappropriate conduct between staff, contracted or otherwise, and inmates,” said Buchanan in the press release.

Buchanan said inmate and staff safety is a top priority at the Sanpete County Jail. No further information will be available until the investigation is completed.

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