Mass. correction officers union calls for help after attack at Souza-Baranowski prison

The union representing Massachusetts correction officers is asking for tactical teams to search the state's maximum security prison after an attack injured officers Wednesday night.

An unidentified correction officer remains hospitalized in stable condition after being stabbed 12 times in the general population unit of the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, according to the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union. Four other officers were treated at and later released from local hospitals for injuries related to the attack.

The prison remains in lockdown, the union said.

"This is uncalled for," said union president Dennis Martin at a press conference outside the prison Thursday, calling the incident "an attempted murder on a correctional officer."

Martin said two officers were attacked by prisoners using makeshift weapons and three other officers stepped in to help.

He said he did not know what prompted the attack, but that weapons and assaults have become increasingly common at Souza. According to the union, over the past three months, more than 70 weapons have been confiscated at the prison and there have been more than 30 assaults on correction officers.

"This has been a systemic problem with this institution right here and in the prisons across this commonwealth — they are unsafe," Martin said.

The Department of Correction (DOC) said it has modified operations at Souza after the stabbings, and it continues to investigate. A department spokesperson said state police were called to the prison Wednesday night, and the prisoners involved have been transferred to other facilities.

The Worcester County District Attorney is reviewing the incident and whether criminal charges will be filed, according to the DOC.

“Violence against DOC staff is unacceptable, and we will take the steps necessary to ensure those responsible are held accountable under the law," said the department's Interim Commissioner Shawn Jenkins in an emailed statement. "Our Department will also conduct a thorough security assessment and review of protocols to ensure the safety and security of all who work and live at our facilities.”

The union is asking that tactical teams go through the prison to search for any contraband, which Martin said has not been done in four years.

In 2020, tactical teams went into Souza after an attack injured three correction officers. Last month, the state reached a settlement with two prisoners who said they were abused by the tactical teams who retaliated against the men in custody.