Inmate slain, 3 others hurt

Four inmates were stabbed inside Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility last night, one fatally, police said. The three others were hospitalized and the facility was locked down.

The confrontation unfolded about 10 p.m. inside "C Building, Pod 2," said Lorenzo North, the president of the Prison Guards Union Local 159.

A 42-year-old inmate was stabbed several times and was pronounced dead at Aria-Torresdale Hospital at 10:27 p.m., Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. North said the inmate was stabbed in the chest.

Two 24-year-old inmates were also injured. One was stabbed in the back; the other in the stomach and in the back.

Both were listed in stable condition at Hahnemann University Hospital, Small said.

A 28-year-old inmate was also stabbed once in the back. He was listed in stable condition at Aria-Torresdale early today, Small said. The names of four weren't available last night.

Small said it was unclear what the men were stabbed with and how many had weapons.

North said prison, on State Road in Northeast Philadelphia, needs to institute more shakedowns to discourage inmates from creating or hiding weapons.

"People have to realize how dangerous it is in there," he said.

"Inmates have weapons. They can make them from just about anything."