By Carol Robinson
AL.com
MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. — A Morgan County corrections officer has been fired after authorities say he laced inmates’ cigarettes with an irritant.
Sheriff Ron Puckett on Friday said he was made aware Tuesday of an incident involving the potential misconduct of the jailer. The incident, he said, involved the officer placing an irritant on the inmates’ cigarettes which led to respiratory issues.
Corrections staff, unaware of what happened, immediately initiated a medical call and began rendering aid to those affected. As a precaution, the inmates were transported to the hospital, treated and released back to the jail. Puckett did not say how many inmates were affected.
Efforts to reach him for additional comment weren’t immediately successful. The sheriff did not identify the corrections officer but said the probe is ongoing by the Criminal Investigations Division.
“We will not condone any misconduct by any members of our organization. Our Corrections staff is charged with the care, custody and control of our inmates,’' Puckett said. “We cannot accept anything less.”
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