Seven ex-jail guards from West Texas have been sentenced to federal prison for taking bribes from prisoners.
An eighth former guard received three years of probation. The former jailers were arrested and indicted in January. They all worked for Community Education Centers, which operates a prison at the Ector County Courthouse in Odessa. The facility houses federal inmates.
The Odessa American reports the ex-guards were accused by prosecutors of giving inmates banned goods in exchange for cash.
The ex-guards given prison time received sentences ranging from 15 months to 33 months.
Another ex-guard was previously sentenced to 30 months. Four others are set to be sentenced later this summer.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
