The union representing Victor Cullen Center employees weighed in following an earlier incident at the juvenile detention facility, that required police response and resulted in injures to several employees.
President Patrick Moran of The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), in part stated;
"For months, we have consistently warned that an incident like this was inevitable because of the ongoing staffing crisis in detention facilities, hospitals and departments across Maryland. This is the second time Maryland State Police have responded to an outbreak of violence at Victor Cullen Center in two years."
Moran added employees are forced to work overtime due to lack of staffing;
"Everyday staff at Victor Cullen Center go into work unsure of when they'll be able to leave because of short staffing. Employees are routinely mandated to stay for involuntary overtime for u to 24 hours just to meet minimum staffing levels."
State police say the disturbance started around 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Victor Cullen Center in Frederick County.
State police Sgt. Todd Hill said the disturbance involved a large group of inmates, and that there were reports of staff members being assaulted and property being destroyed.
Hill said the facility was secured as of 1:30 p.m., and that there were no life-threatening injuries.
Further details were not immediately available.
State troopers from barracks in Frederick and Hagerstown responded to the scene, as did sheriff's deputies from Frederick and Washington counties.
MD juvenile facility is secure in Frederick Co. No escapes or reported injuries to juveniles there. Three staff members were transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained during a disturbance that began about 11:30 am today.
— MD State Police (@MDSP) April 8, 2018
.@MDSP troopers and @FredCoSheriff deputies responded to disturbance and formed security perimeter. Sheriff's deputy trained as negotiator spoke with juveniles over radio. Seven juveniles surrendered. Police took another into custody without incident.
— MD State Police (@MDSP) April 8, 2018
Juveniles assaulted staff & destroyed property. There was no physical confrontation between police & juveniles at the facility. troopers and @FredCoSheriff deputies remain on scene for security. @MDSP criminal investigators are conducting an investigation. Charges are pending.
— MD State Police (@MDSP) April 8, 2018
Preliminary information from scene at juvenile facility indicates several staff members were injured. Three were transported to hospitals in the area. Others refused treatment at the scene.
— MD State Police (@MDSP) April 8, 2018
At this time, there were no reported injuries sustained by juveniles at the facility.
— MD State Police (@MDSP) April 8, 2018
