⏱ 2 min read
PHILADELPHIA – A former guard at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility is facing a long stretch behind bars after admitting to a string of brutal attacks on inmates. Christopher Knight, 47, pleaded guilty today to five counts of violating the civil rights of prisoners and two counts of falsifying official records.
According to court filings, Knight systematically pepper-sprayed five defenseless inmates between January and March of 2023. The attacks weren’t about quelling riots or stopping escapes – they were straight-up abuse.
On January 8th, Knight unleashed a blast of pepper spray on an inmate already face-down on the floor, hands cuffed behind his back, and continued spraying after the man was secured. Two days later, he sprayed another handcuffed inmate being escorted by a colleague. Later that same day, a third inmate got the same treatment – sprayed while returning to his cell, then again while cuffed.
The assaults didn’t stop there. On March 20th, Knight targeted an inmate peacefully writing, blasting him with pepper spray as he lay on the ground in pain. Just four days later, he sprayed a fifth inmate who, like the others, was already prone and subdued.
Knight didn’t just rely on force – he covered his tracks, filing falsified use-of-force reports that conveniently left out key details about his own actions.
Knight’s sentencing is scheduled for July 15th. He’s looking at a maximum of 90 years in federal prison. The FBI led the investigation, with crucial support from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Priya DeSouza and Michael Miller are prosecuting the case.
RELATED: Philly Guard Admits Pepper-Spray Rampage
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →