Corrections officer stabbed in the back at Brandon jail

A correctional officer in Brandon is recovering following an alleged stabbing by an inmate.

An inmate at the jail in Brandon is facing charges after police allege he attacked a correctional officer, stabbing him twice in the back.

Brandon police said the stabbing happened on Monday evening at the Brandon Correctional Centre. No names and few details were released, but police said the inmate was a 41-year-old man and the officer was a 47-year-old man.

The officer was taken to hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

“Seeing this level of violence against a peace officer is always concerning,” said Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates, describing the attack as a tragic incident.

“Nobody signs up to protect and to serve expecting to be seriously harmed in this way, and trauma such as this has a ripple effect across family, across friends, work colleagues, and even associates.”

The inmate is facing three charges: assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, assaulting a peace officer causing bodily harm, and aggravated assault of a peace officer.

Police are not naming the inmate at this point as the charges against him are pending. The inmate’s next court date is set for May 12.

Bates had no further details to share as to what led up to the stabbing, but said the investigation continues as police work closely with the Brandon Correctional Centre.

“They’re also undertaking their own internal review just to examine the circumstances and reinforce safety measures and just make sure that there’s due diligence with respect to understanding the circumstances and safeguarding from these situations happening again,” Bates said.

CTV News reached out to Manitoba Justice, which runs the Brandon jail.

“The province works diligently to ensure the safety and security of everyone inside provincial correctional facilities,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “This latest incident will be reviewed carefully with a view to discovering if any changes or improvements are needed.”

The provincial spokesperson said they have nothing further to add due to the ongoing police investigation.