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March 2, 2011 in Region
Guard stabbed in head with pen, others picket for safety
During a Teamsters Local Union 117 informational picket, Airway Heights Correctional Facility corrections officer Jeff Rude waves to passing motorists Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in Airway Heights, Wash. State prison workers are demanding immediate steps to improve staff safety at the Department of Corrections.
(Full-size photo)
Even before a correctional officer was stabbed in the head with a pen at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Department of Corrections employees represented by the Teamsters union planned picketing at 10 locations in the state today to demand safer working conditions.
The locations for informational picketing include Airway Heights Correctional Center on Spokane’s West Plains, Walla Walla, where the officer was stabbed Tuesday by an inmate in the mental health unit, and Monroe where Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl was strangled Jan. 29 at the Reformatory chapel.
The Penitentiary at Walla Walla is locked down for an investigation of the attack on the guard, who is expected to recover. Two other guards and another inmate suffered minor injuries subduing the attacker, who has been placed in segregation.
© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Orange on March 02 at 10:29 a.m.
Lock down of all state prisons for 30 days. They’re there to rehabilatate. If they’re still committing crimes, then they will pay with more of their limited freedoms.
Seems like common sense to me. Why does the union have to be involved? What a waste of money.
If the state can’t manage our prisoners, then turn it over to the Feds or a private firm. Sounds like we have training issues or putting the wrong person in a job who can’t really do the job.
DickAdams on March 02 at 11:09 a.m.
I agree, Orange.