3 Correctional Officers Injured After Attack By Inmate At Cheshire Facility: Reports

CHESHIRE, CT — Three correctional officers were injured after an attack by an inmate earlier this week at the Cheshire Correctional Institution, according to multiple reports.

The union representing the correctional officers, AFSCME Council 4, announced details from the incident, according to FOX 61.

WFSB 3 reports the incident happened around 11:20 a.m. on Aug. 25 when an inmate threw searing hot coffee in an officer’s face and then tried to slash, stab, and cut the officer with a shank.

The correctional officers suffered various injuries to the neck, back, and knees while restraining the inmate, and were taken to the hospital for treatment, according to WFSB.

A union official said in a statement that the “assault is yet another incident in a worrying trend of rapidly deteriorating conditions inside Connecticut’s state correctional institutions,” according to FOX 61.

A spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Correction said in a statement, via WFSB 3, that the safety and security of their staff and inmates is their highest priority.

"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," the statement reads. “The three staff members that were injured while securing the incarcerated individual, sought medical treatment at an outside facility, were treated and released. There is always the potential for danger when working within a correctional facility. We truly value our staff’s dedication to the Department’s mission of protecting the public.”

State Senate Republicans Paul Cicarella, John A. Kissel, Rob Sampson and Stephen Harding issued the following joint statement on Thursday regarding the incident.

“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.

“We trust that our legal system will hold this vicious attacker accountable. 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.”

Read more at WFSB 3 here and FOX 61 here.