Bellingham Rep Concerned for Corrections Officers

Friday, Bellingham State Representative Michael Soter and twelve colleagues sent a letter to Department of Corrections Commissioner Carol Mici calling on the Department  to address the continued violent attacks against corrections officers at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC).

“I have received many calls and messages from constituents who work at SBCC who have been attacked. There have been 5 attacks on correctional officers in the past week, with one resulting in an officer being covered from head to toe in feces and urine. That is unacceptable! DOC must come up with a plan to put correctional officers first,” said State Representative Soter.

The letter calls on DOC to develop a clear and detailed plan for what the Department is planning to do to ensure that the officers that risk their lives everyday are put first. They signers also ask what steps the Department is taking to assure the Legislature that every officer is safe, secure, and protected in their workplace.

Rep. Soter and other legislators sent a letter in early June to DOC regarding the same concerns. The attacks continue and correctional officers are still at risk every day.

In a press release, Soter said that the legislators are calling on DOC to develop a plan quickly and ensure that the inmates at SBCC cannot assault correction officers without consequences. There must be a plan in place to ensure that corrections officers safety comes first, he continued.