The jail in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania just outside Harrisburg, the Unfriendly City, capital of Pennsylvania, is among the worst in the nation. The district attorney, Ed Marsico, has failed to properly investigate and prosecute the many serious and repeated abuses at the jail. Marsico, a Republican politician (what else?!) seems to have two standards of "justice." One for the wealthy and his cronies and none at all for prisoners victimized by county abuses. There have been literally hundreds of complaints about the mistreatment of prisoners at the county lock-up. Until there was political pressure, Marsico ignored the complaints. When he finally decided to "investigate" fewer than a dozen complaints, he used the opportunity to intimidate the prisoners into silence. He charged one of the victims with making a false report. He let the assailant(s) slink away. Sounds alot like another D.A. Mike Nifong, doesn't he? Johnny Collins, a small, slightly built man was jailed because he was a drug addict. While in the Dauphin County jail, Mr. Collins was savagely tortured. He fought back as well as such a small guy could do. Five cowardly prison guards ganged up on him. The guards are described as "wearing protective gear and helmets." Guards are pretty much pussies - and liars, of course. That gang assaulted Mr. Collins and strapped him into the so-called "restraining chair." The "restraining chair" is a kind of torture device used in the Dauphin County jail. It immobilizes the victim with his/her arms, legs and neck strapped down. The victim is tilted backward where he's helpless and off balance. Once he was helpless, the gang of five guards hit Mr. Collins and sprayed him with a lot of pepper spray to injure and harm him. They then covered his mouth, locking in the effects. One of the brave guards, poor Fred Wright, said that in the melee, Mr. Collins had hurt him. The poor dear probably was simply hit by his fellow guards. In any event, Mr. Collins was charged with biting brave guard Wright, a neat trick through all that protective gear. The guard also complained about a black eye (what, the mask and helmet didn't protect him?) and, oh yes, his finger was broken. That couldn't have happened by torturing the prisoner, could it? Nothing was done about the guards. Nothing was done about the torture. Nothing was done by prison officials or Republican District Attorney Edward Marsico except to charge the prisoner, the victim, with assault. When a Dauphin County prisoner is beaten and tortured, it's a crime for him to defend himself. At trial, the jury found Mr. Collins not guilty. That wrangled Republican District Attorney Edward Marsico. It wrangled his two-bit parrot, Assistant DA Stephen R. Zawisky, who prosecuted the case. He said that he was "surprised" that the victim was vindicated. In Dauphin County, Pennsylvania "justice" is fixed and the jail is an inquisition's dungeon. Rebecca's Bargain Antiques Collectible Vintage Photos Fine Prints - Old Maps Sheet Music - Old Books Elegant Antiques and Collectibles "Here am I, dying of a hundred good symptoms" Alexander Pope, 1744 You are welcome to use or re-publish any of our material. Please give www.prisoners.com credit as the source. Return to the Public Enemies Menu. Return to the Glimpse of Prison Life Menu. Return to the Main Menu. Go to our site Search Feature. Send us Your Comments, Questions or Input.