Published: October 21, 2009 10:30 pm      

10/22- Inmate suffers serious injuries

Inmate suffers serious injuries

CUMBERLAND — A 57-year-old inmate of the maximum-security Western Correctional Institution was severely injured and rushed to the Memorial campus of the Western Maryland Health System late Wednesday morning, according to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

The victim, who was not identified, was reportedly struck in the head several times by “another inmate as the men were returning from recreation,” according to DPSCS spokesman Mark Vernarelli.

A makeshift weapon that was not a knife was used in the attack that Vernarelli characterized as a “one-on-one” assault.

The victim was taken to the Cumberland hospital by a Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department ambulance that was dispatched to the state prison on U.S. Route 220 at Cresaptown at 9:52 a.m., according to the Allegany County 911 center.

The alleged assault is being investigation by the DPSCS Internal Investigative Unit. By law, DPSCS IIU detectives are in charge of such investigations unless a state prison inmate died, in which case Maryland State Police take over the lead. Vernarelli noted that IIU works closely with the local state’s attorney to prosecute those responsible for violent incidents inside state prisons.

The victim of the alleged assault, who is serving a life term for murder, was returned to the WCI infirmary early Wednesday afternoon. He was treated by hospital emergency room personnel for a laceration the head and broken fingers.

Another inmate in his 50s who is serving a life sentence for homicide was identified as a suspect and was questioned following the incident.