A Calhoun County corrections officer submitted his resignation during a termination hearing on Thursday, Sept. 23 after an investigation into use of force against an inmate at the Calhoun County jail.
On Sept. 6, 2021, inmate Keir Watson was in a 5-point restraint chair and being monitored by staff after signals of self-harm. At some point, Watson was able to get out of the left-arm restraint and unsecure the left shoulder strap. Two corrections officers entered the cell, including former corrections Sergeant Jeffrey Worden. In the process of trying to secure Watson, Worden attempted to get Watson to comply and secure him in the chair. There was an ongoing struggle, including the chair tipping over. When Worden picked up the chair, Watson spit in Worden's face. At that time, Worden struck Watson, who continued to spit at Worden. After Watson was properly secure in the chair, the strikes from Worden against the inmate are distinctly against Calhoun County Jail policies.
Sheriff Steve Hinkley said, "All members of this agency are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that reflects the ethical standards and rules contained in this agency's policies. This violation of those procedures and does not represent the expectations our staff must meet as stewards of the inmates in this facility."
The Calhoun County Sheriffs Office made a request to the Michigan Sheriff’s Association to assign outside investigators who specialize in corrections type investigations. MISSSION (Michigan Sheriff’s Special Investigation Operations Network) investigators were assigned. As a result of the investigation the Calhoun County Prosecutors Office Issued criminal charges for the former corrections Sergeant Jeffrey Worden for assault and battery.
Keir Watson was not injured during the incident. He was being held on a parole detainer authorized by the department of corrections and has since been returned to DOC.
Watson was also under investigation for another incident in the Calhoun Jail involving malicious destruction of property and spitting at another corrections staff member. This incident was separate from the incident involving Worden.
