November 30th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

A correctional officer from North Branch Correctional Institution in Cumberland has been suspended without pay after being charged with sexually assaulting an inmate. Officer Brandon Opel is 31 and has been with DPSCS since 2016.

The case, reported by the alleged victim during the summer, was quickly and thoroughly investigated by DPSCS detectives in the Intelligence and Investigative Division, who worked with multiple partner agencies to bring it to prosecution.

DPSCS was a leader in education and enforcement when the national PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) guidelines were passed by Congress in 2003. The Department takes sexual assault allegations very seriously and vigorously investigates all PREA complaints.