SUFFIELD, Conn. — A corrections officer has been charged with assault after he struck an inmate in the head several times during an incident last year, according to state police.
According to the arrest warrant, in August 2023, inmates at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution were returning to their cells after a fight broke out. One of the inmates who was involved in the fight was approached by prison staff who were trying to take him to the Restrictive Housing Unit.
When staff approached the inmate, he reportedly began covering his cell window with something. After being told several times to take it down, a chemical agent called Cell Buster was used to try to get him to comply. He was taken out of his cell, not handcuffed, and fell to the ground moments later.
The report stated that as he fell, so did several staff members, and a struggle broke out. After the inmate was put in wrist restraints and brought back to his feet, he had injuries, including his left eye.
The inmate was taken to UConn Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.
The arrest warrant said Officer Christopher Carlson told his supervisors that day that he had been elbowed in the face by the inmate during the struggle. This was documented by the Department of Corrections in a photograph showing a slight red blemish on the left side of Carlson's face.
State police said that after the incident, multiple witnesses reported that Carlson had "repeatedly" delivered strikes to the inmates while he was defenseless on the ground.
Investigators reviewed video surveillance, which showed the incident, and while none showed definitively what had happened, the inmate could be heard numerous times accusing staff of "stomping on his face."
State police interviewed over 30 witnesses, including the inmate and Carlson. They concluded that Carlson's actions were not reasonable or appropriate for the situation as the inmate could not move at the time due to the number of people on top of him.
Officials said that based on the information, there was probable cause to believe that the inmate was injured by Carlson striking him in the face multiple times while he was on the ground and unable to move.
Carlson was charged with assault in the third degree and is expected in court in July.
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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