United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the sentencing of Ivory S. Cousins, a former Philadelphia correctional officer, to five years in prison for violating an inmate's constitutional rights. Cousins, 36, from Glassboro, New Jersey, was sentenced by United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez to 60 months of incarceration and a three-year supervised release period. The case received substantial assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
Cousins faced charges in August 2024 for ignoring an inmate's injuries following an assault by other inmates and subsequently pepper-spraying him. She was also accused of assisting another inmate in stealing from the victim and obstructing the investigation into the incident.
A federal jury convicted Cousins in April on three counts of depriving an inmate of civil rights under color of law and one count of filing a false report about the event. During her duty at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, Cousins neglected to provide medical attention to the assaulted inmate and attempted to conceal his injuries from superiors.
After her partner called for medical help, but before assistance arrived, Cousins used excessive force by pepper-spraying the injured inmate. Furthermore, she helped one of the involved inmates steal personal belongings from the victim’s cell after he had been taken for medical treatment.
Cousins later filed a false report claiming that the injured inmate had been aggressive and used a weapon during a fight.
U.S. Attorney Metcalf emphasized that corrections officers have significant authority over inmates and must wield it responsibly: "If they fail to meet this standard, and violate a prisoner’s civil rights... they will be prosecuted and held accountable."
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office stated: “Today’s sentencing serves as a powerful reminder that no one is above the law — especially those who take an oath to uphold it.” He added that they remain committed to pursuing allegations of civil rights violations with integrity.
The FBI led this investigation with help from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Jessica Rice are prosecuting this case.
