Boston, Massachusetts – Three inmates have been charged in connection with a violent attack that occurred at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, injuring five correction officers. One of the officers was stabbed 12 times and suffered a punctured lung during the incident that took place earlier this month.
The guard union has praised the decision to press charges against the three individuals, emphasizing the importance of improving the safety of officers who face dangers while carrying out their duties. Interim DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins expressed the Department of Correction’s commitment to taking action against attacks on their officers.
Criminal complaints have been filed against the inmates involved in the attack at Clinton District Court. The three individuals, Jose R. Crespo, 39; Heriberto Rivera-Negron, 36; and Jeffrey Tapia, are facing charges including mayhem, armed assault to murder, and assault to murder. Arraignments for the individuals are scheduled for different dates in October.
The incident occurred on September 18, where a surveillance video captured a correction officer being attacked by an inmate in a common area of the prison. The officer managed to defend themselves against the inmate, but the situation escalated as another inmate joined the altercation, leading to multiple officers getting involved to contain the violence.
Following the attack, the injured officers received medical treatment at a hospital. The Department of Correction responded by increasing resources and adding specialized staff to improve safety at the facility. Commissioner Jenkins reiterated the commitment to prioritizing the safety and health of correctional officers in the system.
The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union supported the charges filed by the District Attorney’s office, calling for further measures to enhance safety within the prison system. The union emphasized the need to address the presence of weapons and drugs that pose risks to the security of both inmates and officers.
In a statement, the correction officers demanded immediate action from the Department of Correction to create a more secure environment by eliminating dangerous items from the prison facilities. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of everyone within the system, including the dedicated members of the correctional officers’ union.