PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Authorities
say a prison guard leaving work for the day has shot and critically
injured a just-released inmate who attacked the officer in a parking lot
near the prison.
The
Philadelphia Department of Prisons says 26-year-old Jamal Bennett
attacked the 66-year-old Currran-Fromhold Correctional facility guard
around 11 p.m. Friday. Authorities say Bennett was trying to steal the officer's car.
The
guard, 27-year veteran Michael Maratea, fired his personal weapon,
striking Bennett in the chest. Bennett was in critical condition at
Jefferson Torresdale Hospital but was expected to survive. He will be
facing new charges.
Bennett had just been released from custody
on a probation violation for a weapons charge. Court documents don't
list an attorney representing him.
Philadelphia Police Chief
Inspector Scott Small called the incident "somewhat bizarre." He said it
appears Bennett "was starting his life of crime over again within
minutes of being released."
Maratea is expected to be OK.
But
this has brought to the forefront what seems to be an ongoing issue
between the local correctional officers' union and Philadelphia Prisons
Department: inmates, their families, and guests all parking in the same
lot as employees.
Local Union Rep of 159 Lorenzo North released a statement Saturday, in part reading:
"Sadly,
the Commissioner of Prisons will put an inmate's family and visitors
first before the safety of employees. No other prison allows visitors to
park with correctional staff, but the Philadelphia Department of
Prisons does."
Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney responded to that statement. "The
parking arrangement in the shared parking either civilian and staff at
the house of corrections has been in place over 20 years," Carney said.
She
also said parking for visitors is now mostly directed to be out on
State Road and more patrols will be added after this incident.
"I
take all staff safety into account. I'm responsible for them and when
we see that there's a situation that presents itself, and we're able to
correct it and address it, we do," said Carney.
The commissioner said there will be a review of their procedures.
Comments:
Well theirs another reformed criminal turned lose on the community good thing the officer had a weapon with him and what is doc in that state thinking by having every one parking in the same lot
Posted by Cracker lawson at 2/13/2018 9:56:32 AM
I beg your pardon, but the last Unit I worked at as a Texas CO....visitors WERE ALLOWED to park in the same area with Staff. Another thing..why in the heck was an Inmate released out the Front Gate, alone, at 11pm? I might add, here in Texas...no firearms are allowed on Prison Property except for Authorized Persons. LEO's upon arrival at a Unit is to put his/her weapon and ammo in the trunk of their vehicle before entering a Unit.
