Eight District of Columbia Jail guards who are fighting for their jobs in the wake of a daring escape have taken their case to court, accusing D.C. Jail Director Devon Brown of ignoring systemic problems and scapegoating officers when things went badly.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in D.C. Superior Court, alleges that Brown and other top jail officials conspired to violate the officers’ rights when they summarily fired the officers soon after the June 3, 2006, escape of inmates Ricardo Jones and Joseph Leaks.
“The only reason the jail is still being held together is there are so many experienced corrections officers there and they know how to handle the inmates,” said J. Michael Hannon, the lawyer for the eight officers.
Friday’s suit also alleges that Brown and other city officials defamed the officers by accusing them of aiding the jail break. The suit does not specify the damages sought.
Jones and Leaks awaited trial stemming from a 2005 homicide when they broke out of the jail. Authorities captured them a day later, but the escape rattled nerves in the gentrifying Hill East neighborhood and raised disturbing questions about incompetence and corruption in the jail.
Leaks confessed to the escape and implicated two veteran officers — Lachonne Stewart and Cpl. Herbert Douglas. Both are fighting to keep their jobs.
Eleven officers were fired after the escape. In court papers, Hannon has accused Brown and jail officials of ignoring deteriorating conditions, including dwindling numbers of officers.
On the day that Jones and Leaks broke out of the jail, it was at half-staff, Friday’s suit states. Seven of the officers who were later fired worked overtime on that day because Brown refused to hire enough officers, Hannon said.
Those problems continue, Hannon told The Examiner.
The jail is on pace to pay out more than $9 million in overtime this year, he said. About 30 officers are on paid administrative leave, stretching resources even thinner.
“The number of assaults by inmates is skyrocketing,” Hannon said.
Jail spokeswoman Beverly Young declined comment.
