Five corrections officers were hospitalized, two of them stabbed, in an incident at the Souza Baranowski maximum security prison, and the officers’ union shared that they’ve been calling for change as well as details from Thursday’s incident.
The investigation continues into a violent incident where two correction officers were stabbed and three others injured on Wednesday afternoon at the maximum-security Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, Massachusetts.
As the investigation continues, the road to the prison remained blocked off Thursday, and a union official said he has heard the facility is in lockdown.
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Inmates allegedly stabbed two correction officers multiple times inside the prison around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Department of Corrections. Three additional officers were injured trying to intervene.
Dennis Martin, president of the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, said at a press conference Thursday morning that two officers were performing routine rounds when they were attacked from behind. One officer was repeatedly stabbed 12 times in the back, and the other was stabbed in the back of the head.
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"It seemed to be coordinated inside there from what little intel we have," Martin said. "I can see maybe an assault, somebody gets punched. But somebody gets stabbed 12 times? That's not just a warning, that's to kill someone."
The three other officers were injured when responding to the incident.
All five correction officers were sent to the hospital for treatment. Four have been released, but the officer who was stabbed 12 times remains hospitalized in serious, but stable condition with a punctured lung, according to Martin.
It was just last month that the Mass Correction Officers Federated Union sounded the alarm that dozens of “homemade sharpened weapons” were found inside the maximum security prison. Martin said those weapons are being fashioned out of free tablets they are given. He said the inmates smash the tablets, which have a metal strip of them which they use to create weapons from.
"This has been a systemic problem with this institution here and the prisons across the Commonwealth," Martin said. "They are unsafe... We've been pleading with the Department of Corrections to take action, asking for tactical resources to come in here. They have many resources to keep this prison safe for staff and inmates. It seems to be falling on deaf ears lately. We've been warning them this is going to continue to happen until they do something drastic."
Martin said the union has been warning the state about issues at the prison for nearly three years, including an increase in weapons and drugs, but nothing has been done about it. He said the union is asking the Department of Corrections to bring in specialized units to come in "and shake this place down," getting rid of weapons and contraband.
"This isn't an isolated attack here," he said. "This is an attempted murder on a correction officer. This union is beyond displeased with the outcome of this. This is uncalled for. An attempted murder of a correction officer inside a facility."
"This is not Hollywood," Martin added. "This is real inside here. These happen every day."
In the immediate wake of the incident Wednesday night, the union took to Facebook to express their continued frustration and anger with the Department of Correction saying, “ENOUGH! It’s been 4 years since you authorized the use of the tactical units and done a thorough institution-wide search! 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!”
Two state legislators -- Sen. Peter Durant and Rep. Michael Soter -- issued a press release Thursday calling for an investigation into Wednesday's incident.
“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 in a statement. “The administration has kicked this can down the road too many times and there is no reason why our corrections officers should have to come to work fearing that they will leave their shift in an ambulance.”
“I am outraged that we are here, again, after legislators have been begging for a thorough investigation into why these incidents continue and what steps have been taken to prevent them,” added Soter. “We cannot wait until there is a loss of life before we address this problem.”
The lawmakers said they stand with the correction officers union "in their call for accountability in the Department of Correction and for steps to be taken to ensure correction officers are safe, secure and protected in their workplace."
The Department of Correction said the facility is secure at this time while an investigation into how this happened continues. They did not use the word lockdown, but said a statement that operations at the prison have been modified "to ensure the safety and security of all who work and reside there."
"The Department has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the facts and circumstances and is also conducting a full security assessment. The incarcerated males identified to be involved in this incident have been transferred to other DOC facilities," the statement continued.
They said Massachusetts State Police investigators responded to the prison on Wednesday night and the Department of Corrections is conducting "a full criminal investigation" in coordination with the Worcester County District Attorney's Office.
“Our correction officers perform an essential and difficult job," said Shawn Jenkins, interim commissioner of the Department of Corrections. "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. 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."
