WINDSOR – A Bertie Correctional Institute officer has been arrested on charges of simple assault against an inmate.

Shanise Moncrieft, 27, of Greenville, was arrested Tuesday for a charge stemming from an altercation that allegedly took place last month.

&uot;She and the inmate had a verbal altercation, and a while after the argument he was asked to step out into the smoking area,&uot; stated Sergeant Ricky Morris with the Windsor Police Department.

He continued, &uot;While out there, they were allegedly having another verbal altercation and she (Moncrieft) hit him with her fingers in his face and head a few times.&uot;

Reportedly, the inmate, Jonathan Armstrong, 23, then struck Moncrieft in the arm with his shoulder before another officer could put him in handcuffs.

While Armstrong was down on the ground and handcuffed, Moncrieft allegedly kicked him in the face.

Armstrong filed an assault report with prison officials immediately afterward, but because correctional officers are held to the same standard as police officers, an extensive investigation first had to take place before charges could be brought against Moncrieft.

&uot;As a correctional officer, you’ve got to treat everybody fairly and she apparently didn’t do that,&uot; Morris said.

Armstrong was charged with assault on a government official the day following the altercation (Oct. 22).

Tuesday, after Moncrieft’s arrest, she was held in the Bertie Martin Regional Jail under a $1,000 bond.

Following the incident and up until her arrest, Moncrieft was placed on administrative duties, meaning she could not have any contact with the inmates and was relegated to performing office work.

After her arrest, she was placed on paid administrative leave, meaning she can’t work at the prison until the matter is resolved.

If she is convicted, she will be terminated from employment with the Department of Corrections.