BOSTON, MA – In a recent incident at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, three inmates have been charged for a violent attack that left five correction officers injured. One officer was stabbed 12 times and suffered a punctured lung during the assault, prompting the guard union to call for improved safety measures for officers within the facility.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction, led by interim Commissioner Shawn Jenkins, emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards attacks on officers. Criminal complaints have been filed against the inmates involved in the attack, identified as Jose R. Crespo, Heriberto Rivera-Negron, and Jeffrey Tapia. They each face charges of mayhem, armed assault to murder, and assault to murder, with scheduled arraignments in Clinton District Court in the coming days.
The violence unfolded on September 18 and was captured on surveillance video. The footage depicts a correction officer walking through a common area when an inmate suddenly attacked. Despite the initial confrontation, additional inmates and officers became involved in the altercation before the situation was finally contained. The five injured officers received medical treatment at a local hospital following the incident.
In response to the attack, the Department of Correction implemented increased resources and specialized staff at the facility shortly after the event. Commissioner Jenkins reiterated the agency’s commitment to enhancing the safety and well-being of correctional officers, acknowledging their dedication to serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union expressed gratitude to the Worcester County District Attorney’s office for their assistance in filing appropriate charges against the inmates responsible for the assault. The union called for the Department of Correction to address security concerns within prisons by eliminating weapons and drugs that pose threats to the safety of inmates and staff.
In a statement, Commissioner Jenkins affirmed the agency’s dedication to holding those involved in the attack accountable through legal measures. The focus remains on creating a safer environment for all individuals within the prison system, including members of the correction officers’ union. The call for increased security measures underscores the ongoing efforts to address safety concerns within correctional facilities in Massachusetts.