Ex-sheriff deputy describes culture of abuse at LA County jail

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A bank of public phones outside Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, 10 September 2006. Sheriff's officials acknowledge that they have been overwhelmed by a week's worth of violence in Los Angeles County jails which has left one inmate dead at Pitchess North County Correctional Facility, and at least 28 hospitalized and nearly 90 injured at Pitchess' and other Los Angeles County jail facilities. Violence has continued at Pitchess in Castaic as well as at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.

More details are coming out about a culture of abuse at L.A. County Men's Central Jail, after former sheriff's deputy Gilbert Michel testified this week about his participation in that culture.

He described beating inmates for no reason, shooting them with a Taser gun and picking fights on purpose. His testimony is part of a broader probe into corruption within the Department.

"This is an ongoing investigation that remains open," LA Times reporter Victoria Kim tells Take Two. "It could lead to additional charges."