By Malynda Fulton
VALDOSTA — A recent brutal attack at Valdosta State Prison left a correctional officer in need of surgery on his face and one of his eyes.
Officer Zebedee Hankerson was beaten by at least three inmates while he was on duty Sunday, Oct. 25, said Ron Hankerson of Los Angeles, Cali., who visited The Times’ office Thursday to talk about the attack on his 19-year-old son.
Hankerson said that his son was doing a count in Building D1 when an inmate pushed and then elbowed him, which caused an orbital fracture in his eye. The officer was then assaulted by the inmate, along with two other inmates, Hankerson said. The inmates beat Zebedee Hankerson in his chest and face.
“Meanwhile, another officer who was aware of the attack did not respond or try to assist my son,” Hankerson added. “In fact, it took at least two minutes before anyone responded. My son left the building with blood on his face and no support from any of the other officers.”
According to Hankerson’s account of the incident, it took over an hour before his son was transported to the hospital. He was transported in a state vehicle, not by the ambulance.
Zebedee Hankerson has, since, had surgery on his eye and been released from the hospital. Hankerson said that his son may ultimately require a metal plate behind his eye.
“This is an example of neglect on the state prison’s part,” Hankerson said. “I just want people to know that other officers were in the building at the time Zebedee was attacked, but they failed to respond. My son could have been killed there and the state would be responsible.”
Hankerson said that he has a meeting with VSP’s warden today to discuss the matter. He added that he does not foresee any legal action, but feels the public should know what is going on in hopes that this type of incident does not happen again.
The Times attempted several times to obtain information from the Georgia Department of Corrections Public Affairs Office about the incident but was unsuccessful. Neither e-mails nor calls were returned.
The attack is the second violent incident reported at the Valdosta State Prison over the past weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 24, inmate Ronnie Hodge was stabbed while involved in an altercation with an unidentified male. Hodge was subsequently transported to South Georgia Medical Center, treated for “puncture wounds to his left shoulder and upper back,” and released, according to a previous statement from the Department of Corrections.
