By Annmarie Timmins
Concord Monitor
CONCORD, N.H. — An inmate allegedly assaulted a corrections officer inside the Concord prison, prison officials said.
Christopher Palermo, 32, was being treated at the prison’s health center Tuesday when he punched a corrections officer in the face, said Jeff Lyons, prison spokesman. The officer called for backup, and Palermo kicked and assaulted the two officers who answered that call, Lyons said.
Lyons said no one was seriously hurt and all three officers were back at work the next day. Prison officials are investigating whether Palermo will be charged with felony assault.
Palermo was at the prison for a court hearing, Lyons said. He has been serving his 2- to 5-year sentence for receiving stolen property in New Jersey as part of a prison exchange program. Lyons said he’d be returned there in a few days.
Palermo has prior convictions for a weapons offense, criminal mischief, theft, burglary and witness tampering, Lyons said.
Earlier this month, one inmate stabbed another in the prison, prison officials said. Officers separated the inmates within a minute, Lyons said, and the injured inmate was treated for his injuries.
Officials from the New England Police Benevolent Association, which represents corrections officers, said assaults are likely to become more common if state lawmakers cut the prison budget and lay off nearly 300 employees as proposed by Gov. John Lynch.
Copyright 2009 Concord Monitor