Prison guards allegedly watch inmate attack

A surveillance video allegedly showing a Muslim prisoner being beaten by a fellow inmate in an Idaho prison, as officers look on, has prompted an investigation by the FBI into whether guards violated the civil rights of inmates at the prison.

The CCTV footage from the overhead cameras shows Hanni Elabed being beaten by a fellow inmate at the privately run Idaho Correctional Center in January.

Elabed managed to bang on a prison guard station window, pleading for help. No one intervenes when Elabed is knocked unconscious. The attacker sits down to rest before he resumes the attack.

It is alleged that at least three guards watched as Elabed was stomped on a dozen times. At no time during the recorded sequence did anyone try to pull the attacker away.

24-year-old Elabed suffered brain damage and persistent short-term memory loss from the attack. He bled inside his skull and spent three days in a coma.

His family say he is incapable of enjoying normal things in life, like driving, swimming, and camping.

Elabed, who was originally sentenced to two to 12 years for robbery, was ultimately released on a medical parole because he was too badly injured to be cared for in prison.