Serious assault in VT Prison

[Gaoler]

On November 11, 2007 at approx. 1130 hours CSS M. C. had received
information that inmate Gould, Joshua had been "strong arming" other inmates
in the unit.

CSS M. reported this to her Supervisor LUS K., J., as a result it
was decided that the override down from Close Custody to medium custody would
be taken away and Gould would be housed in F- unit as a Close Custody inmate.

At approximately 1146 hours CFSS D., COII L. and
COII B. entered E- unit to move Gould to F- unit.

CFSS D., COII L. and COII B. approached inmate Goulds
assigned cell E-10 and spoke to Gould explaining that he was going to be moved
to F- unit as it had been alleged that he had been strong arming other
inmates and that his override was going to be taken away, and he was going to
be housed as a Close Custody inmate.

At first Gould was cooperative, although he stated he did not know anything
about "strong arming" of other inmates. Gould packed his property with no
issue.

After Gould had packed his property he approached CFSS D. and punched
him with a closed face several times in the facial area with a great deal of
force. This appeared to be a combination of blows from Gould to D.
facial area.

COIIs L. and B. intervened, as Gould was rapidly throwing
punches at CFSS D.. As COII L. and B. rRestrained Gould with
Use of force techniques taught to Department of Corrections staff Gould also
assaulted COII L. by sticking him on the right side of his face, this
was done with a significant amount of force and caused pain and discomfort to
Officer L..

A 10-33 (emergency call) was called by staff due to the assaultive behavior by
Gould.

As the assaults on CFSS D. and COII L. were happening CSS M., COI H. and COI B. all responded to D.
and L. aide.

The facility was locked down by SOS P. which was in the control center.

CFSS B., COI C., COI B. and COII
B. responded to the incident. As the responders entered E- unit we
observed inmate Gould being restrained by COII L., COII B., COI
H., COI B. and CSS M..

Also at that time CFSS D. was exiting the unit on his own, it was clear
that he had been seriously assaulted as he had several lacerations to the
face, he was bleeding from the mouth and nose. COII B. assisted
D. out of the unit and to the medical unit for assessment and treatment
by Prison Health Services staff.

Charge Nurse M. asked that CFSS D. be transported
to the Springfield hospital via ambulance. Springfield fire and rescue was
immediately called.

Handcuffs were placed on Gould's wrist behind his back double locked and
checked for tightness.

Gould was then escorted to F1 unit cell 08 by CFSS B., COII L.,
COII B., COI B. and COI B.. As he was being escorted to F unit
Gould continued to verbally threaten staff and he did state several times, "I
assaulted you Supervisor, I will assault anyone that comes to my door and
opens it, the game is on".

Once in cell F1-08 Gould was asked if he was injured in any way he stated no
and denied any medical attention. Gould was strip searched by COII J., the F- unit Officer, per Procedure. At this time Gould also stated that
he was sorry but he was sick of getting ****ed with.

After the search all staff exited the cell and secured the door.

No other staff other than CFSS D. and COII L. were injured in
this incident.

Gould was placed on two Officer status when his cell door was opened, with
handcuffs behind the back and leg irons.

COII L. did seek medical attention after his assigned shift for the
injuries that he acquired to the right side of his face.

CFSS D. was transported to the Springfield Hospital Emergency Room via
ambulance and received treatment to his facial, neck and back areas.

Vermont State Police were called Lt. S. and 4 Troopers / Detectives
immediately responded to the facility to investigate this incident.

CFSS D.'s wife was notified of the injury via telephone and she meet
DOC staff and CFSS D. @ the hospital as they arrived.

SSCF staff organized resources to have persons at the D. home when the
D. Children returned from school.

Exec. Director of Facilities Kupec, Director of Audits Lawhorn, Acting Supt.
McWard, Asst. Supt Damato and SOS Potanas has been briefed and updated on this
situation.

This situation was video taped, in its entirety.

A briefing was provided to first and second shift staff on the events, as
well as third shift will receive a briefing prior to assuming shift.



CFSS is a supervisor, COI is well a CO, COII is the second level of CO, CSS is caseworker, LUS is the head caseworker, SOS is the chief of security at the facility.

[Gaoler]

This actually happened on the 7th regardless of what the report says. It'd be nice if we could predict them in advance though.