By Bill Wellock
The Citizens’ Voice
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — An alleged attack at State Correctional Institution at Dallas that severely injured a correctional officer is under investigation, according to state police.
An inmate assaulted a correctional officer at the prison shortly after 3 p.m. on Jan. 20 in a housing unit, Robin Lucas, prison spokeswoman, said in an email. Staff responded immediately to the incident and took the inmate into custody, she said.
“At this point, it appears that the incident was isolated and only involved one inmate and an officer. There is no motive for the assault,” Lucas said.
Lucas would not identify the inmate or correctional officer, citing Department of Corrections policy, and directed questions to state police.
Cpl. C.J. Wilson of the state police Wyoming barracks declined to release the names until charges are filed.
The correctional officer went to the emergency room at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital after the attack, Lucas said.
“The (correctional officer’s) injuries are extensive. We’re waiting to find out exactly how extensive they are,” Wilson said. “That would affect the level of charges and determines the severity of charges used.
“Are charges anticipated? Absolutely,” he said.
Officials issued the inmate a misconduct violation, and sent the inmate to a restricted housing unit.
The incident was the only inmate attack on a guard this year, Lucas said. In 2014, inmates assaulted officers nine times, she said.
“A prison is not dangerous for just inmates, it’s more of a dangerous place for correctional officers. They are outmanned on a basis of 50 to 1,” Wilson said.