COAL TOWNSHIP - An inmate serving time for attempted murder is in critical condition following a stabbing Thursday at SCI-Coal Township.
State police at Stonington said Dashawn Harris, 23, from Allegheny County, was stabbed in the neck by another inmate during an "activity period" in the recreation yard at 2:20 p.m. The incident is being investigated by state police and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Harris was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he was listed in critical condition Friday. State police said Harris is suffering from paralysis because of the attack.
Kandis Dascani, public information officer and corrections superintendent assistant at SCI-Coal Township, said Harris is serving a 7 1/2- to 20-year sentence. A search of online judicial records found Harris was convicted in 2007 of attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of firearms by a minor after being charged by Pittsburgh police in December 2005.
"We are still pursuing the search and the investigation," Dascani said Friday, adding that no staff members were injured in the incident. She did not say if a person of interest or suspect has been identified.
Because of the attack, restrictions are in place, including having inmates confined to their cells, Dascani said. However, inmate visits continue as scheduled, she said.