Correctional Officer Hospitalized after Inmate Attack

A correctional officer at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston was sent to the hospital after he was punched in the face repeatedly by an inmate on Sunday.

The Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers said in a statement that Inmate Tychonn Banks “refused a direct order to return to his cell and became combative” before he “viciously assaulted” the correctional officer, striking him several times in the face.

Additional officers responded to the scene and Banks was restrained and taken to another housing unit.

The officer had not reported back to work as of Monday and was still recovering from his injuries.

“Due to the alarming rise of unprovoked attacks on officers, RIBCO is urging all members to be on a heightened sense of alert while working inside of the facilities,” the union said in a statement.

Four COs were injured in January after violent run-ins with inmates.