CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Civil rights and criminal defense attorney Meghan Matt said incarcerated people face harsh realities, including violence. However, it is not always from other inmates.

“Often the most violent are those within the prison walls tasked with looking after the people in their custody, the guards and staff, and unfortunately we see that quite a lot,” Matt said.

Matt spoke after Thursday morning’s report of two corrections officers at Caddo Correctional Center who were arrested on multiple charges for using excessive force with an inmate.

Lt. Breck Scott, public information office for the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, said they received an administrative remedial action or formal inmate complaint on Nov. 8.

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“The first deputy was caught on camera battery on an inmate while he was handcuffed, the other deputy was in the cell with him, but they couldn’t see anything, him making any kind of contact with the inmate,” said. Lieutenant Scott.

Preston Eichelberger faces two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of misconduct in office. Corey Steadman faces one count of aggravated assault, two counts of second-degree battery and two counts of misconduct in office.

“People who are incarcerated still have rights as human beings. They still have fundamental rights and part of that is, you know, the right to be free from excessive force,” Matt said.

She says accountability is the first step, despite the protections offered.

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“If I went up to someone tomorrow and beat them up very brutally, I would be arrested as I should be. Police and wardens and correctional facilities should have the same level of accountability,” Matt said.

Lt. Scott says deputies are being held at the Caddo Correctional Center as the investigation is ongoing.

Matt says that if this situation arises for you. or for a loved one, you should file a complaint with the facility and contact the attorneys.

“People deserve to have this level of attention around this situation all the time. This is happening all over Louisiana,” Matt said.

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