Former Tennessee Corrections Officer Sentenced for Assaulting Inmate and Fabricating Evidence,

Article: Former Tennessee Corrections Officer, Javian Griffin, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release after being found guilty of using excessive force against an inmate and fabricating evidence to cover up his actions. Griffin, who was a tactical officer with the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC), pleaded guilty to the charges in October 2023.

The incident occurred when Griffin, without justification, violently punched an inmate in the head, resulting in a broken jaw. Shockingly, the inmate did not pose a threat or resist arrest, making the use of force entirely unwarranted. In an attempt to hide his misconduct, Griffin proceeded to write a false report.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division expressed disappointment in Griffin’s abuse of authority, stating, “This sentence sends a clear message that the Justice Department will hold accountable any official inside our jails and prisons who violates an inmate’s civil rights.”

U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee emphasized that no correctional officer is above the law, and the prosecution of public employees who violate the civil rights of others will remain a priority.

The FBI Memphis Field Office conducted the investigation, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard and Trial Attorneys Matthew Tannenbaum and Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

Instances like these not only damage the trust between inmates and correctional officers but also undermine the entire criminal justice system. It is essential to hold those in positions of power accountable for their actions and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

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