City name mix-up causes concern for local inmates

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- Officials with the Benton County Jail are responding to phone calls they've received from local residents who are concerned about the treatment of inmates at the facility after seeing a video circulating on social media.

The video, depicting an altercation between an inmate and a police officer in the Richland County, Ohio jail in 2019, has confused some viewers who believed that the interaction took place in the Tri-Cities.

"We at the Benton County Corrections Department understand the concern from our community and want our constituents to understand that this incident did not take place at the Benton County Jail or under the watch of the Benton County, WA Corrections Department," said Scott Souza, Chief of the Benton County Corrections Department.

Souza said staff won't comment any further on the incident, but wants the community to know that the agency strives to create a safe environment for everyone at the facility.