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Former Correctional Officer Convicted in Prison Corruption Scandal
A former federal correctional officer has been convicted of bribery, smuggling, and conspiracy to smuggle narcotics into the U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta (USP-Atlanta).
Patrick Shackelford, a 45-year-old former correctional officer at USP-Atlanta, was found guilty of accepting bribes and conspiring with inmates to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into the prison using an elaborate scheme through which visitors introduced contraband into the prison through a secret hole in the visitation area.
The scheme, which was uncovered by investigators, involved Shackelford accepting bribes from inmates in exchange for allowing them to possess and smuggle contraband into the prison. The contraband included narcotics, as well as other items that are prohibited from being brought into the prison.
According to the Department of Justice, the scheme was uncovered after an investigation was launched in response to a tip from a concerned citizen. The investigation, which was conducted by the FBI, revealed that Shackelford had been accepting bribes from inmates for several years, and had been using the proceeds to fund his own lifestyle.
Shackelford was immediately taken into federal custody upon entry of the jury’s verdict on April 2. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $250,000.
The conviction of Shackelford is a significant blow to the already troubled USP-Atlanta, which has been plagued by corruption and violence in recent years. The prison has been the subject of several high-profile scandals, including a 2020 investigation that revealed widespread corruption among correctional officers.
The Department of Justice has vowed to continue investigating and prosecuting corruption within the prison system, and has promised to hold accountable those who engage in such behavior.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source â†â€â€ÂÂÂ
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