An inmate at Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown is facing new charges after allegedly stabbing two correction officers with a sharpened toothbrush, according to the state Department of Correction.
The department said 35-year-old Joe Baltas, of Meriden, stabbed one correction officer in the neck and another in the torso just before 8:30 a.m.
Both correction officers were rushed to a local area hospital, where they were treated, and they have been released.
“As Commissioner, this is my worst fear - that our brave staff members are attacked and injured,” Commissioner Angel Quiros said in a statement. “I rushed to the hospital as soon as I learned of the assault, and thank God, they are all right.”
Get Connecticut local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Connecticut newsletters.
“This is a sobering reminder of the dangers our courageous correctional professionals face on a daily basis. We must always remain vigilant. I am doubling down on my efforts to ensure the safety of these fine men and women,” Quiros continued.
Officials said the Connecticut State Police and the Department of Correction are investigating.
Connecticut State Police said Baltas didn't get hurt during the incident and he was taken to MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution. Investigators said the inmate was scheduled for out-of-cell time.
Local
Correction staff had conducted a strip search of Baltas through the cell door, which revealed he had no contraband, before letting him out. When the door opened, he allegedly lunged at one of the officers standing outside his cell and stabbed him. More officers responded after hearing of the assault, and a second officer was stabbed during the struggle, according to police.
Following the incident, Baltas told authorities that he did it because of strict limitations "on the amount and nature of personal property permitted within an inmate's cell" at Garner Correctional Institution. He also made threats that he would do the same thing at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, according to police.
Baltas last entered the Department of Correction on Oct. 26, 2006, according to the department.
He now faces new charges including threatening, reckless endangerment, criminal attempt to commit murder, assault of an employee, possession of a weapon and more. Police said he failed to provide fingerprints and didn't want to be photographed during processing, and he faces additional charges for that.
Baltas is being held on a $1 million bond. He was arraigned Thursday.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox.
