PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A prison guard at the U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Martin County has pleaded guilty to federal charges related a prison policy to abuse inmates seeking protection.
Terry Melvin, who worked at the prison as a lieutenant, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy against rights and deprivation of civil rights from early 2021 to March 2022. That plea must still be accepted by a judge.
Court records paint a picture of an “unofficial” policy of abuse at the prison.
Under Bureau of Prisons rules, inmates who request protective custody due to threats are placed in a special housing unit, or SHU, while their claims are investigated. But Melvin’s plea agreement reveals that he conspired with at least 17 other prison employees, including several senior staff, to reduce the population of the SHU by assaulting inmates.
The plea agreement says inmates were given a chance to withdraw their complaints, and those who did would be returned to their regular housing unit. Those who didn’t would be assaulted by prison employees, then false reports would be filed claiming the abuse was a response to the prisoner attacking a guard.
The plea agreement says prison staff were given promotions and monetary rewards worth thousands to go along with the scheme.
Once his plea is accepted, Melvin will face up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date. He remains free pending sentencing.
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