WCBC

February 16th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

SCI-Somerset is on lockdown after an inmate attacked and injured two corrections officers Thursday evening, officials have confirmed. The Tribune Democrat reports that

"At approximately 7 p.m. last evening, an inmate assaulted a corrections officer who was assigned to a housing unit," Christie Schenck, public information officer for the prison, told The Tribune-Democrat Friday morning. Another officer who was working nearby came to the first officer's aid and was also assaulted, Schenck added.

Both officers sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to Schenck, who said she could not provide any information on the nature and severity of their injuries.

Asked whether the inmate used a weapon, Schenck replied: "Not that I'm aware of."

Schenck said that she had no information on the motive for the attack.

There is currently no timetable for the lifting of the lockdown, according to Schenck. While the lockdown remains in effect, prisoners are confined to their cells and visits are canceled.

"The Department of Corrections takes all assaults very seriously. We work to determine how they happen and how they can be prevented. We take the safety of our staff very seriously, and attacks on staff will not be tolerated," Schenck said.

State police are currently investigating the incident, she said.

It was at least the second violent incident at SCI-Somerset in 2018.

Previously, SCI-Somerset inmate Dale Michael Wakefield, 25, murdered his cellmate, police allege. Joshua Steven Perry, also 25, was found dead on Jan. 9 under his bed in the cell he shared with Wakefield, who is serving a life sentence for the stabbing murder of a homeless Army veteran to death in 2013.