BANGOR, Maine — The Penobscot County Sheriff is speaking out after a correctional officer was attacked and seriously injured by an inmate earlier in the week.
Sheriff Troy Morton would not identify the identity of the inmate or the officer involved stating an ongoing investigation.
He addressed the attack Tuesday night during a Penobscot County Commissioners meeting to counter claims that there were no violent inmates in his jail.
"So, while we will continue our mission, that we develop programming and think outside of the box when it comes to corrections and practices, we still have to be mindful that is a dangerous job," Morton said. "There are some people that are in jail that belong in jail that pose a great risk to the rest of the public and I hope that we don't lose sight of that as the public."
Morton said he has seen more officers assaulted in the last year than in those previous and more damage done to his facility than ever before. He said the pandemic is partly to blame.
Morton added human rights groups are in constant contact with the jail and commissioners about how inmates are treated.
"There's an awful lot of tone about what can we do to help provide services, folks were doing that, we're doing a very good job at that and will continue to but we cannot lose sight that there are dangerous people, unfortunately, even in the state of Maine," Morton said. "Unfortunately, our officers have been getting the brunt of things and part of our frustration is speaking up and letting folks know that this is happening and we have to be mindful."