Five correction officers at Massachusetts’s only maximum-security prison were injured on Wednesday evening, with two officers being stabbed multiple times by inmates. The incident occurred at around 6:20 p.m. and three more officers were injured while responding to the attack. All five officers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union criticized the Department of Correction for not authorizing the use of tactical units and conducting thorough institution wide searches in the past four years. The union expressed concern about the safety of correction officers and the presence of homemade weapons inside the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center.
Last month, dozens of homemade sharpened weapons were discovered at the prison, raising fears among correction officers about potential harm. Dennis Martin, the president of MCOFU, emphasized the dangerous situation and the need for increased safety measures.
The Department of Correction has assured that the facility is secure, and an investigation involving Massachusetts State Police is ongoing. The department did not respond to the union’s claims immediately.
The incident highlights the risks faced by correction officers in the line of duty and underscores the need for enhanced safety protocols within correctional facilities. The well-being of correction officers and the security of inmates must be a top priority to prevent such incidents in the future.
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