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Mass. Prison Officers Accused of Brutal Beating
11 Jul
Summary
- Four correction officers indicted for allegedly beating shackled inmates.
- Assaults occurred shortly after inmates stabbed officers with homemade knives.
- Incident took place at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell has indicted multiple correction officers for allegedly beating two shackled inmates at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster in September 2024. The alleged assaults occurred shortly after the inmates, including convicted murderers Jose Crespo and Jeffrey Tapia, had stabbed officers with homemade knives.
Correction officers Stephen Cobb, Shaun Gould, Paul Birri, and Matthew Valade face charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and civil rights violations. Prosecutors allege Cobb kicked a shackled Crespo, Gould struck Crespo with his knee, and Birri slammed Tapia against a concrete wall multiple times. Valade is accused of striking a third inmate, Heriberto Rivera-Negron, and twisting his leg.
In response, the Department of Correction stated the alleged misconduct does not reflect their standards. Commissioner Shawn Jenkins noted the department referred the case to the AG's office after an internal investigation. Cobb and Birri are detached without pay, Gould is on administrative assignment, and Valade resigned in August 2025.
