3 corrections officers arrested for June inmate beating

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Three corrections officers from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons surrendered on Wednesday morning to face charges.

District Attorney Seth Williams announced the charges stem from the June assault of an inmate inside the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center and their attempt to cover up the incident.

The three are corrections officers Milton Gibbs, Terrance Bailey and Shaun Lowe.

Prosecutors say on the evening of June 21, Gibbs became agitated with the male inmate "and began pounding on his cell door and threatening him. After returning to the control desk, Gibbs called Bailey and they entered the victim's cell and began to repeatedly punch and kick the victim. Eventually, they handcuffed the victim and walked him down a staircase, striking him along the way. Once they arrived at the cell block's exit, Bailey struck the victim in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground. Gibbs and Bailey then dragged the victim into the central control area and began to stomp on him. Lowe arrived on scene and joined in the assault. The victim lost consciousness at least twice during the assault."

Some of that was captured on video, but prosecutors say other parts happened where "the defendants knew there were no cameras."

Then, Gibbs and Bailey are accused of submitting a mental health referral alleging "the victim intentionally harmed himself to cover up the assault. As part of the referral, Lowe transported the victim to the receiving room and Gibbs tried to coerce the victim to not report the incident in exchange for food from the staff kitchen. All three defendants submitted written reports of the incident that omitted their own actions and stated that only 'open hand' controls were used to subdue the victim."

The three are suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.

They're charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy, which are felonies.

They also face misdemeanor charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with public records, unsworn falsification to authorities, obstructing administration of law or other governmental function, and official oppression.