SOMERS, Conn. — A female correction officer was assaulted by an inmate during a routine security check at the Osborn Correctional Institution on Monday, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the state’s correctional facilities. The incident, which took place around 3:20 p.m., alarmed officials and union representatives alike.
According to the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC), the assault occurred “without warning or provocation” as the officer was conducting her duties. Reports indicate that the inmate began choking and striking her in the face during the attack. Union officials from AFSCME Council 4 have characterized the incident as a violent attempt at sexual assault, asserting that the inmate attacked the officer from behind and dragged her into an area devoid of camera surveillance.
Immediate action from facility staff ultimately restrained the inmate, who has not been publicly identified. Following the incident, the inmate was relocated to the Restrictive Housing Unit at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution. Meanwhile, the correction officer sustained serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket and significant bruising, prompting her transfer to a local hospital for treatment. She has since been released.
The DOC commissioner, Angel Quiros, condemned the assault, emphasizing the need for strict consequences against those who attack correction officers. “Violence against Department of Correction staff is unacceptable,” Quiros stated. He expressed his commitment to the safety of staff members and pledged a thorough review of policies to prevent future incidents.
Union representatives have highlighted that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating crisis within Connecticut’s correctional system, marked by an increase in violence, the pervasive presence of drugs, severe staffing shortages, and insufficient administrative oversight. They argue that correction officers are routinely placed in perilous situations without adequate support from the state.
Connecticut State Police are reportedly conducting an investigation into the attack, although additional details have not been released by DOC officials as the situation develops. The incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive safety improvements and strategic reforms within the state’s correctional facilities to safeguard the lives of both inmates and staff.