Eight inmate attacks at one medium security prison left a dozen corrections officers injured.
The incidents happened between May 1 and July 3 at the Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome, according to NYSCOPBA – the union representing corrections officers.
“As we enter the summer months, you can see by the number of inmate assaults on staff, that the violence is escalating. With staffing shortages a consistent problem, the safety of staff is our single biggest priority right now. Thankfully the dozen officers who were assaulted were not seriously injured. That is not always the case and with the escalation of violence in all of our prisons, working conditions are only going to become more dangerous. It is unfortunate that the safety and well-being of our members isn’t a priority of our elected officials who voted for progressive criminal justice policies that only have made matters worse!”-stated Bryan Hluska , Central Region Vice President.
On May 1, a piece of sharpened metal fell out of an inmate’s sock while being frisked by a CO. When the officer picked up the weapon, the inmate spun around and punched him in the face. He then administered OC spray but it had no effect. The guard was able to force the inmate to the ground. Handcuffs were placed on the inmate with the assistance of a second officer. The officer was treated onsite for redness, pain, and swelling of his forehead and remained on duty.
On May 4, an incarcerated individual was ordered to submit to a pat frisk after being observed acting suspiciously behind a facility dumpster. During the frisk, the inmate came off the wall and elbowed the officer in the head. The individual became compliant after the CO administered OC spray. The officer remained on duty after being treated onsite for swelling to the forehead.
On June 18, two officers were injured. A female officer was investigating a disturbance in one of the dorms. When the officer approached an inmate, he charged at her and struck her in the head and jaw. The OC spray she administered had no effect. A second officer responded and forced the inmate to the floor; however, the inmate remained combative. Together, the officers were able to handcuff the inmate who then became compliant. The female officer was taken to Rome Hospital after she sustained pain and swelling in her cheek, jaw, and ear as well as blurred vision. The second officer sustained arm pain and swelling but remained on duty.
On June 22, an officer injured his hand when an individual he was counseling grabbed his wrist and struck him in the side of the face. The guard was able to break the wrist hold and force the inmate to the ground.
On June 24, officers attempted to frisk an individual after a K9 search singled him out. He pulled an object out of his pants and put it in his mouth before striking one of the officers in the head during the frisk. The two officers were able to get him to the floor where a responding sergeant was able to handcuff the inmate. The officer who was struck in the head sustained swelling to his forehead, neck pain, and a headache—the second injured his hand and elbow while subduing the inmate. Both officers were treated at the facility and remained on duty.
Four officers were injured on June 25 during two separate incidents. One sustained knee and forehead injuries when an inmate hit him during a pat frisk. The officer was able to subdue the inmate. The officers sustained wrist, hand, and knee injuries when an inmate they were escorting became combative and kicked at them as they forced him to the ground.
On July 3, an officer was taken to Upstate Medical Bone & Joint after sustaining hand and shoulder injuries after being attacked by an individual who became combative after being told to put out a cigarette he was smoking in his cube. The inmate charged the officer and struck him in the upper body. The inmate became compliant after being forced to the ground and placed in handcuffs.
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