HOUTZDALE, CLEARFIELD COUNTY – There’s been another attack at SCI Houtzdale, just six weeks after one that put the facility in lockdown.
The Department of Corrections confirmed that inmates assaulted two corrections officers on Wednesday. We’re told those officers were taken to the hospital and released.
Back in April, five officers were injured when they tried to break up the fight that broke out in the recreation yard.
For fear of retaliation, the employee we spoke to wanted to remain anonymous, so we are not releasing that person’s identity. Others that WTAJ News spoke with also said, it’s a very scary environment inside those prison walls.
“Inmates used to fight with inmates, occasionally a staff member would get injured breaking up a fight. Very rarely did inmates turn on staff.”
But this veteran employee at the prison said things have changed in the past couple of years.
“Everyone is afraid to go to work. nothing is being done about where the inmates are acting out on the staff members.”
During that fight among the inmates in April, WTAJ was told that one of the corrections officers was beaten so badly, that their face was barely recognizable. This employee said that fight wasn’t the only one this year.
“We’re afraid for clerk typists or nurses, corrections officers, anybody that has contact.”
Violence is on the rise, we’re told that the inmates are essentially running the place. The employee says some inmates have no fear because there are no consequences for their behavior.
“They usually sneak up from behind and attack the officers from behind and put the boots to them.
As of December 2014, there were more than 2,500 inmates housed at SCI Houtzdale, with nearly 600 employees. That has left facility under-staffed and overworked. One employee told us they don’t want to answer the phone, knowing it could mean an extra shift or mandatory overtime.
“We just try to do the best we can because we have taken an oath but its becoming very frightening.”
So frightening their spouses fear they won’t come home.
“I think the public needs to be aware of what’s going on behind closed doors. They’re keeping everything secret and it’s going to get one of the staff members killed.”
A spokesperson for the department of corrections told WTAJ late Thursday that there have been 23 assaults involving 34 employees so far this year. The union that represents prison employees did not return phone calls.
Stick with WTAJ as we work to get more answers.
The Department of Corrections confirmed that inmates assaulted two corrections officers on Wednesday. We’re told those officers were taken to the hospital and released.
Back in April, five officers were injured when they tried to break up the fight that broke out in the recreation yard.
For fear of retaliation, the employee we spoke to wanted to remain anonymous, so we are not releasing that person’s identity. Others that WTAJ News spoke with also said, it’s a very scary environment inside those prison walls.
“Inmates used to fight with inmates, occasionally a staff member would get injured breaking up a fight. Very rarely did inmates turn on staff.”
But this veteran employee at the prison said things have changed in the past couple of years.
“Everyone is afraid to go to work. nothing is being done about where the inmates are acting out on the staff members.”
During that fight among the inmates in April, WTAJ was told that one of the corrections officers was beaten so badly, that their face was barely recognizable. This employee said that fight wasn’t the only one this year.
“We’re afraid for clerk typists or nurses, corrections officers, anybody that has contact.”
Violence is on the rise, we’re told that the inmates are essentially running the place. The employee says some inmates have no fear because there are no consequences for their behavior.
“They usually sneak up from behind and attack the officers from behind and put the boots to them.
As of December 2014, there were more than 2,500 inmates housed at SCI Houtzdale, with nearly 600 employees. That has left facility under-staffed and overworked. One employee told us they don’t want to answer the phone, knowing it could mean an extra shift or mandatory overtime.
“We just try to do the best we can because we have taken an oath but its becoming very frightening.”
So frightening their spouses fear they won’t come home.
“I think the public needs to be aware of what’s going on behind closed doors. They’re keeping everything secret and it’s going to get one of the staff members killed.”
A spokesperson for the department of corrections told WTAJ late Thursday that there have been 23 assaults involving 34 employees so far this year. The union that represents prison employees did not return phone calls.
Stick with WTAJ as we work to get more answers.