Six correctional officers injured in ACI assault

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Six correctional officers were injured in an assault in the medium security section of the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) Sunday morning.

According officials, the incident occurred at 9:00 a.m. at the John J. Moran Medium Security facility, as two inmates expressed displeasure with the conclusion of their recreation period.

Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers President Richard Ferruccio says, as the inmates were directed to return to their cells, they refused and violently assaulted responding correctional officers.

The officers deployed pepper spray in an attempt to deescalate the situation, per Ferruccio.

The ACI says the spray “created a slick surface, causing several other staff members to slip and fall.”

The incident led to a lock down of medium security for the remainder of the shift.

Authorities say six responding officers required medical treatment after the incident. The inmates were unharmed.

Ferruccio says two of the officers returned to work Monday, while the remaining four continued to be treated for their injuries.

“Any time you have to physically engage force on an inmate, there’s a risk of getting hurt for both the inmate and the staff,” Ferruccio said.

The ACI says the incident is under investigation to ensure proper policy and procedures were followed.

According to Ferruccio, violent incidents at the ACI have spiked in recent months, up 245% from Jan. 2023 to Jan. 2024.

Ferruccio attributed the increase to changes in leadership tactics at the ACI.

The ACI says there is no evidence to support that claim.