Three correction officers were injured this week when an inmate in Cheshire allegedly threw hot coffee at one of them and tried to slash their face.
The incident occurred on Monday just before 11:20 a.m. at the Cheshire Correctional Institution where an unprovoked attack reportedly broke out during meal time, according to American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 4.
The inmate who was involved allegedly threw “searing hot coffee” in an officer’s face before using a shank to try to slash their face, the AFSCME said. The inmate, who has not been identified, allegedly made multiple attempts to stab and cut the officer as other officers stepped in and helped.
According to the AFSCME, three correction officers suffered various injuries to their neck, back and knees while restraining the inmate. They were each taken to a hospital.
All three officers were treated and released, according to the state Department of Correction.
“This assault is yet another incident in a worrying trend of rapidly deteriorating conditions inside Connecticut’s state correctional institutions,” a spokesperson for Council 4 said in a statement. “From a crisis-level influx of dangerous drugs to alarming and perilous short-staffing, and a dramatic rise in assaults on correctional staff, the state’s refusal to take decisive action puts the lives of staff and inmates at risk every day.”
“These issues are worsened by the fact that correctional officers continue to work in an increasingly dangerous job without the security of a contract in place,” the Council 4 spokesperson said.
The incident remains under investigation by Connecticut State Police, a spokesperson for the DOC said. The inmate has not been charged.
“The safety and security of our staff and the incarcerated population is our highest priority,” the DOC spokesperson said. “We are grateful for the swift and professional actions of our staff in responding to this incident, which if not for their actions may have been worse.
“There is always the potential for danger when working within a correctional facility,” the department spokesperson said. “We truly value our staff’s dedication to the department’s mission of protecting the public.”
Multiple Connecticut Republicans issued a statement Thursday condemning the attack and calling for the DOC to take more steps to ensure the safety of correction officers.
“Our thoughts are with these brave corrections officers and their families in the aftermath of what could have been an absolutely horrific and tragic incident,” state Sens. Paul Cicarella, John A. Kissel, Rob Sampson and Stephen Harding said in a joint statement.
“We trust that our legal system will hold this vicious attacker accountable,” the lawmakers said. “We await a thorough report from the Department of Correction as to what corrective measures must be taken to better ensure the protection of our dedicated officers. Clearly, action steps must be taken.”