Inmate Claims Florida Corrections Officer Put Bleach In Her Drink

An inmate at a Florida prison said a corrections officer allegedly put chlorine bleach in her drink. Now she is seeking legal action against the state's Department of Corrections, Associated Press (AP) reported Wednesday (October 21). Alfreda Gunn, the inmate, alleges she was in a "heated verbal dispute" with corrections office Qualesha Williams, according to a lawsuit filed last week in Marion County. The lawsuit claims several corrections officers, including a supervisor, heard Williams telling Gunn "I got something for you" after their argument.

The supervisor, who’s a sergeant, “did nothing to intervene and nothing to calm C/O Williams down or correct her threatening behavior,” according to the document. Another officer watched Williams spray bleach into a cup and onto a food tray taken to Gunn. "Williams was not assigned to supervise or take part in feeding the inmates but was allowed to carry food trays in the dorm. The lawsuit said she gave Gunn the tray that had been sprayed," AP reported.

Gunn drank from the cup and noticed the bleach then. Williams walked away, and the inmate called out to the office who reportedly witnessed Williams spray Gunn's food with bleach. The officer told Gunn that she couldn't help unless it was a "life or death" situation and because of changing shifts, AP said. The officer would report it to another supervisor, launching an investigation. Gunn was treated at a nearby prison facility. Williams was arrested and charged with poisoning food or water, a first-degree felony.

The lawsuit claimed corrections officials “were recklessly indifferent to the misconduct and constituted a state-created danger, resulting in violations of rights.” Officials rebutted this claim, saying they were quick to the incident to the Inspector General's office following Williams' arrest. Gun has been in prison since August 2016 on multiple charges, including grand theft and trafficking stolen property, according to the Florida corrections website. She's scheduled to be released in November 2022.

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