Staff Writer

The York County sheriff has made changes at York County Jail after four corrections officers were charged with allegedly assaulting an inmate.

Corrections officers Roger Souliere, 30, of Waterboro, and John Sibya, 25, of Alfred, were indicted on charges of assault, criminal threatening and reckless conduct. Daniel Roy, 26, of Lyman, and Michael Pitts, 27, of Biddeford, were charged with assault and criminal threatening.

All charges are Class D misdemeanors punishable by less than a year in jail. The four corrections officers are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of sheriff’s office personnel investigations.

York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette said charges stem from an incident when the corrections officers were called to the maximum-security cell of an inmate about four weeks ago. He said the inmate was “acting out” but declined to be more specific about what allegedly happened.

Ouellette said the investigation began after an inmate complained. The inmate is no longer incarcerated at York County Jail.

Ouellette said the department is now retraining all staff “in regards to cell extractions and the de-escalating of situations.” Jail officials also have ordered a new portable restraint chair for the maximum-security pod in addition to a restraint chair already available in the booking area.

Restraint chairs are used for inmates who are acting “confrontational,” Ouellette said.

After an investigation, the case was given to the York County District Attorney, who sent it to a York County grand jury. The grand jury handed up its indictments last week.

Ouellette said the  alleged incident is “unfortunate” and should not be seen as common at the jail.

“It’s a very demanding job. You’re not dealing with some of the nicer people society has to offer. Unfortunately sometimes emotion and adrenaline rise in situations like this,” he said. “We need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.