Boston’s A video has been released that shows an attack on jail staff at a maximum-security prison in Lancaster, Massachusetts. Five cops were taken to the hospital on Wednesday after an incident at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.
One police officer was stabbed at least twelve times, and he is still in the hospital. Along with three other police officers who went to the scene of the crime, another officer who was stabbed was treated and let go.
The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union said it has warned the Department of Correction many times about the safety of prisons.
The executive board of the union said in a statement, “The video shocks the conscience.” “Let it be said that the Executive Board of MCOFU is shocked, appalled, and angry by how violent this video is, but they are not surprised.”
The union released the security video on Friday. It shows a correctional officer making rounds when an inmate sneaks up on him from behind and stabs him several times.
When the police officer tried to defend himself, another prisoner attacked him. It keeps happening even though the corrections officer is on the ground.
A second police officer tried to help, but was also stabbed. Four guys fight for about 30 seconds until a third officer shows up. That was before ten more cops showed up and added to the fight.
Union requests security evaluation
The union wants all Massachusetts jails to get a full security check and a look over their rules and policies.
The union said, “Our officers are still getting hurt.” “This horrifying video says it all. Things need to change quickly.”
The Department of Corrections (DOC) said that the prisoners involved had been moved to different jails across the state.
State legislators want accountability
Senator Peter Durant and Representative Michael Soter were both horrified by the video.
He told the reporter, “There is no doubt in my mind that it was attempted murder.” “It was just tough to see and watch.”
“This attack was planned ahead of time,” Durant told reporters.
They want to be held responsible and say they have asked the Department of Correction to make a plan to protect cops before something bad happens.
According to Mr. Durant, these prison guards get into fights all the time, and that has to stop. “We need to make sure that these correctional officers have what they need to do their job, which is to keep the people in jail safe.”
Soter said, “I do not want blood on my hands.” “I do not know what else will work, but I hope the administration and DOC can keep it from ending in death.”