Holly MatkinLancaster, MA – Three Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) officers were transported to the hospital after being attacked and viciously beaten by a mob of maximum-security prison inmates on Friday (video below).
The incident occurred at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC) at approximately 10:45 a.m., the DOC said in a video release later that day.
The video showed a lone corrections officer as he spoke with several inmates inside the heavily-populated dayroom area.
Seconds later, one of the prisoners suddenly punched the corrections officer in the face, relentlessly delivering multiple blows as the corrections officer fell backwards and more inmates jumped in.
The corrections officer, who was still on the ground and backed up against a wall, was repeatedly punched and kicked by the mob, the video showed.
A second corrections officer was attacked by another group of inmates when he ran in to help him, but he managed to break free and raced towards the initial officer.
The mob immediately shoved the second officer to the ground, pummeling him.
A third corrections officer was attacked from behind by an inmate as he jumped into the fray, the video showed.
The corrections officers appeared to regain their footing, but suffered multiple additional blows as the group continued to punch and kick them while they pinned them in against the wall.
At least one of the officers was forced back onto the ground, where he desperately tried to fight of his attackers.
The inmates began to scatter as additional corrections officers flooded the dayroom.
The three initial officers involved in the brawl were transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, the Boston Herald reported.
One was treated for a head injury, and a second underwent surgery, the Telegram reported.
The facility was immediately placed on lockdown, and six inmates were removed from the unit where the assault occurred, according to WJAR.
“The District Attorney is being notified of this serious assault,” the DOC told the Boston Herald in a statement. “These inmates will be facing internal discipline and DOC staff will provide the Worcester District Attorney’s office with all available facts and evidence relating to the assaults.”
The DOC praised the corrections officers for their swift response.
“This video shows the resilience and training of the officers involved. Due to the quick efforts by responding officers, life-threatening injuries were prevented in this incident,” the department said. “We wish a speedy recovery for the officers involved.”
You can watch security footage of the correction officers’ encounter with the violent inmates in the video below: