Correction Officer Punched By Inmate At New Haven Facility: Officials

NEW HAVEN, CT — A correction officer was punched by an inmate Thursday night at the New Haven Correctional Center, according to officials.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. when the inmate was being transferred from another facility to New Haven.

The inmate “became agitated and punched” the correction officer in the chest, according to a news release from the Connecticut Department of Correction.

Staff members quickly secured the inmate, applied wrist restraint and placed him in the Restrictive Housing Unit, according to officials.

Two officers responding to the incident were injured -- one hurt his wrist, another had a “superficial laceration to his thumb,” the news release states.

Both officers elected to remain on duty, and did not seek medical attention, officials said.

The incident was the latest in a recent string of assaults on Department of Correction staff.

“This incident once again illustrates the very difficult and dangerous nature of the job the brave men and women of this agency deal with on a daily basis – they are unsung heroes,” Department of Correction Commissioner Angel Quiros said in a statement. “It also underscores the fact that our staff must remain vigilant at all times, whether someone has been out of their cell for several hours or just newly admitted to a facility.

“Realizing that interactions with the incarcerated population are unavoidable, I along with the unions are working diligently to find additional ways to keep staff safe.”