Austin v. Civil Service Commission

On March 5, 1989, Lonnie Austin (Lt. Austin), was a lieutenant in the employ of the Department of Corrections assigned to supervise the inmates in a dining room of the Joliet Correctional Center. In that capacity, Lt. Austin had control over how and when the inmates were fed and was charged with the responsibility of coordinating the movement of the inmates into and out of the dining room.

It appears from the record that inmates at the correctional facility were allowed only one tray of food at each meal. While performing his duties, Lt. Austin observed inmate Hughes get into the serving line…