By C1 Staff
WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts inmate is facing new charges after allegedly filing a false Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) report.
The Telegram reports that Brian Genrich accused an officer of sexually assaulting him in May during a shakedown of his cell.
Video of the incident proved Genrich wrong, along with witness testimony.
Though PREA focuses mainly on rape of inmates by either staff or other inmates, it also has consequences for those who file false reports.
In addition to charges, inmates don’t earn “good time” during the month when they make the false accusations.
The Telegram reports that this is the first time an inmate will be brought up on such charges in Massachusetts, where filing a false police report is punishable by a fine of between $100 and $500 or by imprisonment up to one year, or both.
Genrich is scheduled to be in court on Jan. 7.