Five Correctional Officers Injured in Massachusetts Prison Stabbing \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Five correctional officers were injured, two of them stabbed, during a violent incident at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Massachusetts. Four of the officers have been released from the hospital, while one is still being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation is underway, and the inmates involved have been transferred to other facilities.
Prison Attack in Massachusetts: Quick Looks
- Incident Details: Two correctional officers were stabbed by inmates at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison in Lancaster, Massachusetts.
- Injuries: In total, five officers were hospitalized; two with stab wounds and three others injured while responding to the attack.
- Prison Secured: The prison is secure, and a criminal investigation has begun in coordination with the Worcester County District Attorney’s office.
- Union Reaction: The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union criticized the Department of Correction for not ensuring officer safety, calling for immediate action.
- Legislative Support: Some lawmakers, including state Sen. Peter Durant, expressed their support for the union’s call for accountability and safety reforms.
- DOC Response: Interim Department of Correction Commissioner Shawn Jenkins announced a full security review to improve protocols and ensure safety at the facility.
Five Correctional Officers Injured Deep Look:
A violent incident at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, Massachusetts, left five correctional officers injured, including two who were stabbed by inmates. The attack took place on Wednesday night at the maximum-security prison, prompting an immediate response from prison staff and emergency services. According to Scott Croteau, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Correction, the situation is now under control, but investigations into the cause and details of the attack are ongoing.
The five injured officers were promptly taken to nearby hospitals. By Thursday morning, four had been released, while one officer remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. “The facility is secure at this time while an investigation is conducted to determine the facts and circumstances,” Croteau said in a statement, offering reassurance that there is no ongoing threat to the facility’s security.
The two officers who were stabbed reportedly sustained injuries to the back and head, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union. The union, which represents correctional officers across the state, expressed frustration over the incident, accusing the Department of Correction (DOC) of failing to protect its staff. “How much more do our members have to endure before you decide to keep them safe? The inmates are literally running the asylum. Do your jobs,” the union posted online in response to the attack.
While the DOC has not provided specific details on the nature of the injuries sustained by the other three officers, it is understood that they were hurt while intervening to stop the assault. The inmates involved in the attack have since been relocated to other facilities, a standard procedure following such violent incidents to prevent further escalation.
Croteau also confirmed that the Department of Correction has launched a criminal investigation into the matter, in coordination with the Worcester County District Attorney’s office. The goal of the investigation is to uncover the exact circumstances that led to the violent altercation and to hold those responsible accountable. In the meantime, prison operations at Souza-Baranowski have returned to normal, though heightened security measures are likely in place while the investigation continues.
Union Calls for Action
The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union wasted no time in responding to the incident, calling for more robust safety measures to protect correctional officers. The union’s online post, which was direct in its criticism, highlighted the recurring nature of these incidents, pointing out that this isn’t the first time correctional officers have been seriously injured by inmates.
State legislators quickly expressed their support for the union’s demands. State Sen. Peter Durant, a Republican representing Spencer, issued a statement condemning the lack of sufficient safety measures in Massachusetts prisons. “This is not the first time we have seen serious injuries inflicted on corrections officers by inmates and the time has come to act,” Durant said, urging the DOC to take immediate steps to prevent further harm to correctional staff.
The union’s concerns reflect growing tensions between correctional officers and the management of the Department of Correction. In recent years, correctional officers have increasingly spoken out about the dangers they face on the job, particularly in maximum-security facilities like Souza-Baranowski, which house some of the state’s most dangerous inmates.
DOC’s Response and Future Actions
In response to the incident, Shawn Jenkins, the interim commissioner of the Department of Correction, expressed deep concern about the attack and the safety of the officers involved. “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,” Jenkins said, indicating that the department plans to take significant steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This review will likely involve a detailed analysis of the prison’s current security protocols, including staff training, inmate management, and emergency response procedures. Jenkins’ comments suggest that the DOC is committed to making changes, though the union will undoubtedly keep the pressure on to ensure that those changes are implemented swiftly and effectively.
One key area that may be addressed is the staffing levels at maximum-security facilities. Correctional officers have long argued that understaffing in prisons leads to more dangerous working conditions, with fewer officers available to respond quickly to violent incidents. Ensuring that correctional staff is adequately trained and supported will also be a priority as the DOC moves forward with its security review.
Moving Forward: A Call for Accountability
As the investigation unfolds, both the DOC and union leadership will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure accountability. The attack has reignited debates around prison reform and the safety of correctional officers, with lawmakers, union officials, and prison administrators all calling for systemic changes to ensure that such incidents do not become a regular occurrence.
Correctional officers face significant challenges in their line of work, and incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the dangers they encounter daily. With legislative support behind them and the DOC promising to review its safety protocols, the hope is that changes will be implemented to create a safer working environment for the officers tasked with maintaining order in Massachusetts’ most secure prisons.
As of now, the situation at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center remains under control, but the events of Wednesday night underscore the pressing need for reforms that will prioritize the safety of both staff and inmates alike.
