Corrections deputy fired and charged, accused of striking inmate

A St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office corrections deputy has been fired and faces charges related to violence against an inmate, Sheriff Blaise Smith said Thursday night.

Abreante Jacole Harris, 20, Jeanerette, was arrested at 3:52 p.m. Thursday on charges of simple battery and malfeasance in office.

SMPSO detectives conducted an internal investigation of an incident in which Harris, a corrections deputy, entered a St. Mary Law Enforcement Center dorm and struck an inmate several times.

Harris was booked on the charges and terminated on her arrest.

“I am disappointed in this deputy’s actions,” said Chief Deputy Gary Driskell. “She violated her training, the policies of the Sheriff’s Office, and the laws of the State of Louisiana. We hold the men and women of our agency to high standards of professional conduct, which means holding them accountable when they violate the boundaries of their authority.”