Correction officer stabbed 12 times at maximum-security prison in Massachusetts
LANCASTER - A correction officer is lucky to be alive after he was stabbed 12 times inside Souza Baranowski Correctional Center Wednesday night, according to the head of the officers' union.
Dennis Martin, president of the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, held a press conference outside the Lancaster facility on Thursday, saying the injured officer is hospitalized with serious injuries.
The assault happened at approximately 6:20 p.m. Wednesday at the maximum-security facility. The Massachusetts Department of Correction said five officers were taken to hospitals for treatment of their injuries. Two of those officers were stabbed.
The most seriously injured correction officer suffered a punctured lung.
Inmates transferred after attack
The Worcester County District Attorney's Office is conducting a criminal investigation following the attack.
The Department of Correction said the inmates involved have been transferred to other facilities in the state.
"Our correction officers perform an essential and difficult job. Their safety is our top priority. I am deeply concerned about the incident at Souza Baranowski Correctional Center, which resulted in injuries to five correction officers," interim Department of Correction commissioner Shawn Jenkins said in a statement. "My thoughts are with the officers and their families at this time and the Department offers our full support to the officers as they recover from their injuries. Violence against DOC staff is unacceptable, and we will take the steps necessary to ensure those responsible are held accountable under the law. Our Department will also conduct a thorough security assessment and review of protocols to ensure the safety and security of all who work and live at our facilities."
Prison attack "seemed to be coordinated"
Martin said the attack "seemed to be coordinated" as correction officers were making their hourly rounds.
"I could see maybe an assault, somebody getting punched. But somebody getting stabbing 12 times? That's not just sending a warning. That's to kill somebody," Martin said. "Twelve times stabbed in the back. He was lucky. He was fortunate. He was fortunate that he survived this attack."
The Massachusetts State Police have been notified of the incident.
"The facility is secure at this time while an investigation is conducted to determine the facts and circumstances," said Scott Croteau of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security on Wednesday.
Martin wants the facility to remain on lockdown until a full search can be completed.
Tablets turned into prison weapons
According to Martin, in previous attacks at the facility, inmates smashed tablets and turned them into weapons.
Martin said he does not yet know if that happened during the latest attack.
"On cost of taxpayers they get free tablets. The tablets in the facilities now have a metal strip inside the tablets. They're smashing them and creating weapons out of them," Martin said. "We've brought attention to this for over six months now that this is continuously happening. We asked them to get rid of them or change the manufacturer or vendor they utilize for this, and it's been falling on deaf ears."
Union president pleads for safety changes
Martin said he has been pleading with the DOC to make the maximum-security prison safer for officers, but nothing has been done. The union president said there has been an uptick in weapons and attacks on correction officers in recent months.
"We've been pleading with this department to take action," Martin said. "We've been asking for tactical units to come in here. The department has many resources to facilitate this and to keep it safe for staff and for inmates. It seems to be falling on deaf ears lately. We don't know what else to turn to. These are unfortunate events. We've been warning them that this going to continue to happen until they do something drastic."