Great Falls Jury Awards $28 Million to Former Inmate After Assault
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – In a landmark decision, a federal jury in Great Falls has awarded nearly $28 million to Nathaniel Lake, a former inmate who suffered severe injuries while incarcerated in a private prison in Shelby, Montana. The jury found CoreCivic, the prison’s operator, liable for failing to ensure Lake’s safety during his sentence.
Lake was attacked by another inmate, notorious for his violent history, who was serving two life sentences without parole. In a harrowing incident, the assailant managed to breach his locked area, entering Lake’s cell where he physically assaulted and choked him. Lake was only discovered during a routine guard check, leading to immediate medical intervention.
Subsequently, Lake was transported to a Great Falls hospital, where he spent 33 days in a coma and four months in intensive care. After his recovery, he returned to the Shelby prison for six months before his conviction was overturned by the Montana Supreme Court.
Despite CoreCivic’s denial of responsibility, the jury unanimously ruled in favor of Lake, awarding him $27.75 million in compensatory damages, marking a significant outcome in the realm of prison accountability.
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