Tables Turn on Former Bell County Jailer

A man recently employed with the Bell County Sheriff's Department has been arrested for reportedly using excessive force against an inmate.

According to a report from our news partners at KWTX, Clinton Stovall was arrested on January 7 after investigators say he used excessive force against an inmate on December 28. During the pre-investigation, Stovall had been placed on administrative leave.

The Bell County District Attorney’s Office is charging Stovall with assault/bodily injury after the Bell County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Division and Texas Rangers concluded their investigation.

An arrest warrant was issued for Stovall, and he was arrested at the Sheriff's department after arriving for a meeting with investigators. Following Stovall's arrest, he was "separated from employment with the Bell county Sheriff’s Department effective immediately,” sheriff’s Lt. Bob Reinhard said in a press release.

Exact details of the assault have not been released to the public, but the investigators' allegation of excessive force is certainly thought provoking. Just how far is too far?

The question brings my mind to the famous Stanford prison experiment. The experiment gave ordinary men assigned roles of "inmate" or "guard" and took a deep look at what factors contributed to abuse in the system. Originally the goal of the experiment was to "understand the development of norms and the effects of roles, labels, and social expectations in a simulated prison environment."

The planned two week experiment ended after just 6 days, because the assigned "guards" became too abusive. Again, just 6 days in a role of complete power, and ordinary tempered men became incredibly malicious.

Let's hope the same fate doesn't befall Stovall now that he is on the other side.