Massachusetts

Correction Officer Accused of Assaulting Inmate

A correction officer at a Massachusetts prison was arrested after he allegedly assaulted an inmate.

Thirty-five-year-old Joseph Sampson of Westminster, a guard at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, was charged with assault and battery on a person over 60, according to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office.

The Massachusetts Department of Correction said only that a correction officer had been "detached with pay" after an incident with an inmate on Dec. 20. The district attorney's office confirmed that Sampson was arraigned the following day in Clinton District Court.

MassLive reported that Sampson was allegedly caught on surveillance footage punching a man, identified as Paul Smith, leaving the victim with lacerations to his face.

Sampson was released on $500 cash bail and is due back in court Jan. 24.

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