Georgia prison guard pleads guilty to violating inmate's civil rights Published article VALDOSTA, Ga. - A Georgia prison guard has pleaded guilty to violating a prisoner’s civil rights by punching him while he was handcuffed and on the ground. Prosecutors said 33-year-old Jamal Scott and other guards led the man to an outdoor area to assault him on Dec. 29, 2018, in retaliation for an earlier dispute with a female guard at Valdosta State Prison in south Georgia. "When Scott assaulted this inmate, he violated the inmate’s civil rights and betrayed his oath of office as a correctional officer," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pam S. Karlan of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department will continue to protect the civil rights of all individuals, and work to ensure that officers who abuse their power are held accountable."