Georgia Inmate Using ‘Dilapidated Building Infrastructure’ Created Shank, Burrowed Through Jail Wall and Stabbed Man: Sheriff

A prisoner in Georgia dug a hole through a jail wall — but rather than wanting to escape, he used the opening to stab a fellow inmate, authorities said.

According to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement officials opened an investigation into the case after Kavian Thomas crafted a homemade shank and made the opening in a shower wall.

The hole “gave him access to the adjacent cell block,” where he then attacked Derondney Russell, the sheriff said, noting the inmate sustained non-life-threatening stab wounds to his upper body.

“Following the attack, a shake-down of both cell blocks led to the discovery of several weapons, including shanks made from parts of the dilapidated building infrastructure,” the sheriff’s office said.

Interim Fulton County Jail commander Curtis Clark claimed the condition of the facility contributed to the incident.

“It presents a constant challenge for us to eliminate things like this from access to the inmates,” he explained. “This jail has clearly outlived its useful life. That reality makes it even more challenging for us to do our job of providing the safest possible environment, not only for staff but for the inmates as well.”

Officials said criminal charges in connection with the incident are pending against Thomas.