SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia sheriff says two of his deputies have resigned after they struck inmates who were in restraints.

Chatham County Sheriff John Wilcher told reporters Tuesday that both cases have been referred to local prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

Wilcher said a sergeant struck a restrained inmate at the county jail three times after the inmate head-butted the deputy on April 23. He said on May 9, a captain hit a restrained inmate several times after the inmate spit in his face. Wilcher said another deputy separated the two, but the captain then spit in the inmate’s face and struck him two or three more times.

Wilcher said both deputies chose to resign rather than be fired. The sheriff did not give their names.