NEW LISBON – Six inmates face felony
criminal charges stemming from the Nov. 11, 2004 disturbance at New Lisbon
Correctional Institution, according to a complaint filed today in Juneau
County Circuit Court.
State Department of Corrections Secretary
Matthew Frank said the charges filed by Juneau County District Attorney
Scott Southworth underscore that an attack by an inmate on prison staff is
completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“The message is clear: Inmates who attack
correctional officers face serious consequences,” the secretary said.
The secretary also credited correctional
officers for their speedy response in securing the housing unit where the
incident occurred.
“I commend the courage and professionalism
of the officers, both those on the unit when the incident began and those
who responded so swiftly to assist their colleagues and help bring a
critical situation to a quick resolution,” Secretary Frank said. “The unit
was secured within approximately three minutes. I am proud of the rapid
response of our correctional officers and their quick action to prevent
the situation from becoming even more serious.”
Twelve DOC staff suffered injuries due to
altercations with inmates. Another three were hurt responding to the scene
or after the incident.
Charged are inmates Michael Love, Alvin
Kenney, Dwayne Thomas, Jamie Vest, Bernard Treadwell and Lawrence
Williams. The criminal counts cover second-degree reckless injury, battery
by prisoners, aggravated battery and attempted battery by prisoners, with
maximum penalties ranging from a prison term of three years or a $5,000
fine to a prison term of 15 years and a $50,000 fine.
If convicted on all counts, Treadwell
could face up to an additional 66 years in prison and $160,000 in fines;
Vest could face up to an additional 57 years in prison and $120,000 in
fines; Kenney and Thomas each could face up to an additional 33 years in
prison and $80,000 in fines; Love could face up to an additional 24.5
years in prison and $45,000 in fines; and Williams could face up to an
additional three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Each of the six are currently in a highly
secured segregation status within the prison system.
In addition to Southworth, Secretary Frank
also thanked the New Lisbon Police Department and the Juneau County
Sheriff’s Department, Warden Cathy Farrey and an investigative team from
the Department of Corrections for their work in investigating the matter.
He pledged the DOC’s continued cooperation as criminal proceedings
continue.
