ANDERSON, Ind. — He put a twist on giving someone the middle finger.
An inmate at the Madison County jail cut off the tip of his middle finger on his left hand and sent it, and a two-page letter to Scott Underwood, editor of The Herald Bulletin.
Michael McCune wrote in his letter, “Find enclosed my left middle fingertip that I removed for a reason: to bring to light the oppressive conditions that exist here at the Madison County Jail.”
He wrote that staff at the jail let offenders be abused, eat cold food, and sleep on the floor.
He goes on to say he is sound of mind and removed his fingertip to bring change.
Sheriff Scott Mellinger told the Washington Times Herald that McCune cut off the tip of his finger with a razor blade on May 21.
Shaving razors are passed out to inmates every two to three days and then collected.
Mellinger said at the time of the incident, McCune was on disciplinary lockdown in a cell by himself because he stole from medical staff.
They didn’t learn about the incident until May 28, when McCune was talking about it during a phone call. Mellinger said correctional officers check on inmates three times a day, and said it was possible McCune hid his hand from view.
McCune has been transferred for security reasons to the Pendleton Correctional facility. He’s waiting to go to trial for attempted murder. Police say he stabbed another man 13 times at a birthday party in Anderson.
