Deputy jailer injured Monday in scuffle with female inmate

A Whitley County deputy jailer had to have six staples placed in her head after being assaulted by an inmate Monday afternoon.
Whitley County Deputy Jailer Greg Petrey said the incident with inmate Sherry Hill happened shortly after 3 p.m. in the common area of the cell block where the prisoners gather to watch television and eat.
Hill is a Knox County prisoner being held on a manufacturing methamphetamine charge.
Petrey declined to identify the deputy jailer injured in the incident.
“According to the deputy jailers that were in the area, they went back to check on a woman, who was allegedly bleeding and pregnant,” Petrey said. “This one girl, Ms. Hill, decided she was going to be a little mouthy.”
Hill was upset with the guard for confiscating some contraband from her and other prisoners last week, Petrey said.
When the guard told Hill she was going to be placed in lockdown in one of the cells, Hill then allegedly shoved the guard, who then tried to subdue Hill.
“The guard grabbed her, and they hit the floor. As they were spinning on the floor, the guard hit her head on the table, and busted it open. She had to have six staples put in,” Petrey said.
Hill was transported to Baptist Regional Medical Center where she was examined, and released back into the custody of the jail.
The guard went to Jellico Community Hospital, and was expected to return to work Wednesday.
Jail officials are relieved that no one was seriously injured during the incident, Petrey said.
Petrey said that jail officials think the incident might have been planned out by inmates, but don’t know for certain at this point or if other inmates might have been involved.
The matter is under investigation by Jailer Jerry Taylor.
Petrey said he doesn’t know if Taylor or the guard plan to file charges, but that third-degree assault charges could be filed.