Bock v. State

In Bock v. State (1991), 43 Ill. Ct. Cl. 299, 305, Claimant was injured in an unprovoked attack by another inmate as he was walking down a hallway intending to go to the "dayroom" in the cellhouse. Claimant contended, among other things, that his injuries were the fault of the Respondent for the reason that there had previously been several violent offenses in that area of the prison, and there were insufficient staff present. There was no evidence that anyone had ever complained about inadequate security. The Claimant contended that if there had been more correctional officers present, his injury would have been avoided. The Court held that liability could not attach to Respondent due to the fact that the attack on the Claimant was without warning, and was committed by a man that the Claimant barely knew. The State could not foresee the assault.