Waterbury, Vt., October 26, 2020 – An inmate at Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans assaulted a correctional officer on Thursday, October 22.
Other inmates in the unit immediately came to the officer’s aid and stopped the assault. Other officers responded to the unit within seconds. The officer was taken to the hospital and released with a concussion and bruises. The inmate was transferred to another facility. At this time, we are withholding the names of the corrections officer and inmate until an investigation is completed.
“Our correctional officers face grave risk every day. This event leaves me appreciating the work the staff does every day, the humanity of our inmates who ran to the aid of the officer and to the quick and compassionate response of the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) leadership team,” said Commissioner Jim Baker. “The Vermont DOC Peer Support Team is working with the DOC clinician to help those involved process the event. Also, staff and I are working to formally recognize the inmates who stepped in to stop the assault, no doubt preventing the officer from being more seriously hurt.”
Vermont State Police have been notified of the assault and will be conducting an investigation to determine if any criminal charges will be filed.
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