IONIA, MI - A former inmate at the Handlon Michigan Training Unit in Ionia was given an additional 50 to 75 years for the attempted murder of an officer nearly two years ago.

Joseph Freeman, 26, was convicted in May this year of assault with intent to commit murder and two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm.

Ionia County prosecutors contended Freeman used a large padlock wrapped in a sock to beat corrections officer Eric Jeffries in the head, neck and face during a melee between Freeman, fellow inmate Quincy Bland and several other officers. Jeffries suffered severe lacerations that required nearly 50 staples to close.

The two other counts against Freeman stem from his attacks on officers Robert Hueur and Michael Manley during the same altercation.

The sentencing brings to conclusion a trial that at one time had been dismissed by Judge Charles Miel without prejudice, effectively throwing out the case since he was frustrated with the lack of cooperation from the Michigan Department of Corrections in providing officers' personnel files that had been requested by the defense. The move forced Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer to re-issue charges against Freeman, which he could do since the judge dismissed the case without prejudice.

Corrections officers, in support of the three who were attacked, were agitated by legal technicality in the case and subsequent delay and had talked of protesting outside the courthouse in the past.

Bland, the inmate who started the brawl that led to the beating, was convicted and sentenced in 2005 to several additional years in prison for his role.

The incident began when Bland was written a misconduct ticket by Jeffries.

Several hours after receiving the ticket, Bland, presumably still angry, ambushed the officer while he was making his 7 p.m. rounds. The inmate reportedly jumped out of his cell as the officer passed and began striking him with his fists.

A second inmate, Freeman, joined in the fracas, striking the officer in the head with the padlock weapon.

Officers responded to aid the first officer, and both Bland and Freeman retreated to a recreation room where 27 other inmates were lounging. The room was locked down as Bland and Freeman were talked out.

Freeman is currently housed at the Ionia Maximum Security facility. He was originally housed at Handlon, a much lower security prison, for various armed robbery and breaking-and-entering offenses. While at Handlon he would have been eligible for parole within a few years, but now will not even be eligible for a parole hearing until he is nearly 80 years old.