By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Many gathered across the street from the entrance of Pontiac Correctional Center Friday in support of the AFSCME Local 494 informational picket, which stems from the August. 21 attack of six guards by five inmates.

Secretary Tim Bowden explained what they were looking for people to learn during the event.

“We just want the awareness of we don’t feel safe behind these walls, because of the policy the IDOC top brass has put in place to let violent offenders back into the population faster than they need to be. I have been assaulted myself eight times this year. We have had 145 staff assaults this current year. That is just way too many, and we just feel the administration doesn’t care about our safety,” Bowden said.

Calls for comment from IDOC were not immediately returned.