WCBC

August 5th, 2013 by WCBC Radio

A department spokesman has confirmed that a correctional officer at North Branch Correctional Institution was being treated Monday morning after being stabbed by an inmate in a housing unit of the maximum-security prison on U.S. Route 220. The officer — a four-year veteran who is 34 years old — suffered injuries that did not appear to be of a life-threatening nature- that is  according to Mark Vernarelli, director of public information for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The officer suffered several puncture wounds from a homemade weapon wielded by the inmate. He reportedly did not lose consciousness and was taken to the hospital by Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance. The ambulance was alerted by the Allegany County 911 center. The Cumberland Times News reported that the inmate allegedly involved in the attack has been identified and the weapon has been recovered. The incident is being investigated by the DPSCS internal investigation unit and criminal charges are pending. The prison was placed on lockdown following the 8:40 a.m. incident that occurred in a housing unit. Monday’s incident is the latest in a series of assaults of officers at NBCI that occurred in the past several weeks. Prior to Monday’s incident, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 3 said seven correctional officers of NBCI had been assaulted recently and five others injured when responding to those assault incidents.