A man who attacked a civilian staffer at State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill over two years ago was told on Tuesday that he would be serving an additional three years in prison.
As he checked convicts into a prison gym to play volleyball on February 1, 2023, the prison staffer—a corrections activities specialist who has since returned to work and appeared in court on Tuesday—told Pennsylvania State Police that he was attacked by inmate Nathan Lane.
Due to his recent conviction on one felony count of assault by prisoner, to which he entered a guilty plea in November, Lane, who was originally set to serve out the remainder of his sentence on a burglary conviction from Berks County in July, will now be incarcerated until at least July 2028.
According to the activities specialist, who PennLive is not naming in accordance with our policy to not identify victims of violent crimes without their knowledge, he was slugged in the back of the head while he was checking outside the gym area to see if any additional prisoners were entering.
He was punched once more close to the left eye as he turned to see what had struck him. In the end, the inmate—later identified as Lane—and the attendant both fell to the ground. The inmate held the staffer in a chokehold and knocked his radio out of his hand as he first attempted to radio for assistance.
As Lane was brought into jail, the staffer eventually managed to free himself and call for assistance.
The Lower Allen Township jail increased staffing and implemented other security measures for recreation periods in response to the SCI-Camp Hill incident.
The victim, who had facial and shoulder bruises as well as a potential concussion, stated in court on Tuesday that he had never experienced attack in his 15 years of working for the Department of Corrections and that he felt fortunate to have survived the ordeal.
Although he is still receiving counseling for anxiety and a type of post-traumatic stress disorder, he added that being able to return to work has been crucial for him to overcome the entire experience.
He informed Lane, who was watching the proceedings from a distance from State Correctional Institution Benner, where he is currently incarcerated, that he had lost. Although I don’t like to be in charge, I do want to be in charge of my life.
Lane, 47, said he was on a self-directed hiatus from his mental health meds when the attack happened and apologized for it on Tuesday. Lane acknowledged having extreme mood swings at the time and stated that he had stopped taking them several months prior to the incident to see how he could manage without them.
Lane, who is currently back on medicine, told Judge Jessica Brewbaker of Cumberland County that he has not experienced any problems since. Brewbaker’s sentence falls within the typical range of state sentencing standards and is concurrent to any term Lane is currently serving.
Stories by
Charles Thompson