SEIU 1199NE Condemns Assaults on Healthcare Workers inside the Department of Correction, Calls for Immediate Safety Review and Oversight

In response to two sexual assaults against our members that occurred hours apart on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Corrigan Correctional Center and Garner Correctional Institution, SEIU 1199NE, the union representing healthcare workers throughout Connecticut’s prison system, condemns these attacks and stands in full support of the affected workers.

For years, our members have warned that understaffing, inadequate resources, and a lack of long-term investment has placed Department of Correction healthcare workers and their patients at risk. All while these workers remain committed to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the incarcerated population with professionalism, compassion, and dignity. That commitment must be matched by a commitment from the D.O.C, to ensure a safe working environment for all staff.

“These incidents are unacceptable, Our members come to work every day to care for others. They deserve to go home safe at the end of their shift. If Connecticut wants quality care inside its prisons, then Connecticut must protect the workers providing that care. This system must change.”

Rob Baril, President of SEIU 1199NE.

Connecticut has a constitutional obligation to provide quality care to incarcerated individuals and a moral obligation to protect the healthcare workers delivering that care. If the State expects healthcare workers to provide a true community standard of care inside its prisons, then the State must provide a community standard of safety for the workers on the front lines.

SEIU 1199NE stands in solidarity with the affected workers and with every healthcare worker who continues to serve under challenging circumstances inside and outside of Connecticut’s correctional facilities. We call on the D.O.C. to conduct a thorough review of these incidents, provide meaningful oversight, strengthen safety protocols, and take every necessary step to ensure this does not happen again.