Prison inmates who failed a drug test are given the option to drink urine or get tased, lawsuit says

ASHLAND, Ky. — Seven inmates at an eastern Kentucky prison have filed a federal lawsuit saying prison officers forced them to drink their own urine or be tased after they failed a drug test.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Ashland says four officers at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex told inmates who failed drug tests: “They could ‘throw away’ their urine sample if they chose to be subjected to electrocution by using a taser or drinking their own urine. WDRB-TV reported. However, the lawsuit also alleges that the seven inmates were “forced” to be tased or drink their urine.

Attorneys representing the inmates did not immediately return messages from the station seeking comment.

Kentucky Department of Corrections spokesperson Lisa Lamb declined to comment on the lawsuit but told WDRB that the allegations prompted an investigation.

“This incident was thoroughly investigated and multiple disciplinary actions were taken, including employee terminations,” she said.

She declined to provide details about the personnel actions or additional details about the investigation.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages.