Cumberland Times-News
CRESAPTOWN — Two assaults of correctional officers at the North Branch Correctional Institution in recent days are not believed to be related in any way, according to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
“Our DPSCS intelligence personnel, who now are part of the department’s internal investigative unit, have found nothing to directly link the recent North Branch assaults,” said Mark Vernarelli, director of public information for the department.
“The dietary officer in Friday’s assault did require a number of stitches and staples to close head injuries. Thankfully, he was not seriously injured, and our internal investigative unit has filed criminal assault charges against the inmate who struck him. This was an isolated attack.
“Last night (Tuesday), four officers suffered minor injuries after an inmate struck a correctional officer in what, right now, looks like a totally unprovoked assault. In addition to the officer who was hit initially, three responding officers suffered minor injuries. They went to the hospital as a precaution and it was not a 911 transport.
“The inmate involved in that assault was a segregation inmate who had already allegedly assaulted a cell mate. In fact, at the time of the assault on the correctional officer, the inmate was being moved because of his behavior, which speaks to the type of inmate North Branch frequently deals with,” said Vernarelli.
Full story: Official talks NBCI officer assaults, prison’s ‘very challenging’ atmosphere