At approximately 8:25 am on Tuesday, August 22, while being escorted from one part of the facility to another, an incarcerated individual at Garner Correctional Institution violently attacked two Correction Officers — stabbing one in the neck and another in the torso with a makeshift sharpened toothbrush.

The staff members were rushed to a local area hospital for treatment, where they were treated and released. The attacker was immediately secured and transported to MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution’s Restrictive Housing Unit in Suffield.

“As Commissioner, this is my worst fear — that our brave staff members are attacked and injured,” said Commissioner Angel Quiros. “I rushed to the hospital as soon as I learned of the assault, and thank God, they are all right.”

“This is a sobering reminder of the dangers our courageous correctional professionals face on a daily basis," Quiros added. "We must always remain vigilant. I am doubling down on my efforts to ensure the safety of these fine men and women.”

Connecticut State Police and the Department of Correction are conducting active investigations into the incident.

The attacker was identified as 35-year-old Joe Baltas of Meriden.

He last entered the Department of Correction on October 26, 2006 after being convicted in New Haven Superior Court of murder, two counts of assault in the first degree, two counts of burglary in the first degree, and one count of kidnapping in the second degree after attacking his girlfriend's family in October 2006.

Michael Laverty was killed in that attack and his wife, Linda, and their son, Chris Laverty were hurt. Chris Laverty told police Baltas attacked them and forced Laverty's sister to leave the family's apartment after the attack. Laverty's sister was also treated for minor wounds.

In court, Baltas denied he was the attacker.

On appeal, Baltas's convictions of burglary in the first degree and kidnapping in the second degree were vacated, and the state declined to reprosecute those charges. His total effective sentence was reduced from 115 years to 75 years of incarceration.