US sues county over jail conditions

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The US Justice Department is now suing the Erie County Sheriff and County Executive over conditions at the Holding Center.

The federal government lawsuit claims Erie County is denying jail inmates their constitutional rights.

The Justice Department specifically refers to the downtown Holding Center and the correctional facility in Alden.

The suit includes stories of guards beating inmates, among other things.

"The Department of Justice would not have brought this lawsuit unless they felt the allegations were based on facts," said US Attorney Kathleen Mehltretter.

Sheriff Tim Howard and County Executive Chris Collins are named in the suit.

Collins' administration has blocked the Justice Department's civil rights division from coming inside the jails.

That's because according to Collins it would have forced taxpayers to dish out more money for health benefits.

"It's the kind of things that liberal Civil Rights people do," said Collins.