By Corrections1 Staff
EBENSBURG, Pa. — Inmates at Pennsylvania’s state prisons will have by the end of the week to turn in all hard-soled boots.
WJAC-TV reports that inmates will have to turn in their hard-soled boots or mail them home by Friday. The Pennsylvania DOC’s decision to remove the boots comes after Sgt. Mark Baserman was beaten to death in February by an inmate wearing heavy-soled boots.
On Feb. 15, Baserman was attacked by Paul Kendrick, who was wearing heavy-soled Timberland boots, and punched and kicked multiple times in the head. Baserman died of his injuries 11 days after the attack.
“Like many others, I was shocked to find out that inmates were allowed to purchase boots that could be used as weapons in the first place, so I’m ecstatic to read that – and I quote – ‘Inmates were advised to arrange to get rid of their boots,’” Rep. Frank Burns said.
Burns called for a ban on the boots immediately after Baserman’s death. The state representative said he also has received complaints about inmates having access to razor blades.
Last week, inmate Jamal Washington filed a lawsuit against the DOC to stop the ban on the boots. Washington said the ban goes against inmates’ rights and that the boots are needed for warmth during cold months.