Rocrast Mack
In 2009, Rocrast Mack was arrested for selling $10 worth of crack to an undercover police officer. He pleaded guilty and was given a 20-year sentence, to be served at Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton, Alabama. Ventress was built to house 650 prisoners, but at the time of Mack’s death it held 1,665.
On August 4, 2010, prison guard Melissa Brown was doing a nightly headcount when she came across Mack and accused him of masturbating under his blanket. After Brown struck him twice with her baton, Mack hit back and bloodied her lip. He then ran away but complied when ordered to stop by another guard. Five other correctional officers then arrived on the scene. In the dorm lobby, in front of other prisoners, the six guards took turns beating Mack with their feet, hands, and batons.
Despite being in a coma, Mack was taken to the hospital surrounded by guards. The prison Chaplin called Mack’s parents to inform them of his condition, but when his father arrived at the hospital he was prevented from seeing his son on the warden’s orders. The warden relented after a few hours but the guards still would not allow Mack’s father to touch his dying son. Mack died the next day.
The ringleader, Lt. Michael Smith, who had been previously been accused of brutality on at least four occasions, was charged with murder. Two other guards, 43-year-old Matthew Davidson and 31-year-old Joseph Sanders, were also charged.
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