Three corrections officers were injured this week during a confrontation with four inmates at the Cayuga Correctional Facility
According to NYSCOPBA, the union representing corrections workers, the incident happened on Tuesday at the Moravia facility when two guards noticed an inmate on top of another in the dorm, making slashing motions. Additional staff arrived and they approached the inmates; the one who was on top ran toward the bathroom, while the one on the ground got up and walked toward the sleeping quarters and began exchanging punches with another inmate, according to the union.
NYSCOPBA said the inmates were ordered to stop fighting, but refused. OC spray was then used; however, the union said it had no effect, and they continued fighting with one making stabbing motions toward the other’s back. Staff then approached the two to separate them.
One inmate became compliant and was handcuffed, but the other began running toward one of the officers with a weapon in his hand. OC spray was once again used; this time, it was effective, and the inmate became compliant, the union said.
In an unrelated move, a fourth inmate came from the dorm area and charged at an officer. They used OC spray, but to no effect. The inmate then attempted to run out of the dorm when he was confronted by another officer who ordered him to stop. When the orders were ignored, the guard put the inmate in a bodyhold and forced him to the ground. The inmate then became compliant, was handcuffed, and escorted from the dorm area.
After the incident, the inmates were taken to the infirmary for treatment and decontamination. NYSCOPA said the inmate who was first in the fight “sustained a laceration to his face consistent with a cutting-type weapon.”
The whole ordeal left three officers injured. The officer who tackled the inmate attempting to run out of the dorm was taken to SUNY Upstate Hospital for a dislocated shoulder. The other two sustained abrasions, shoulder, and neck injuries. They were treated at the facility and remained on duty, according to the union.
A six-inch weapon, similar to an ice pick, was found on the ground near the dorm. A review of the officers’ body cams determined the inmate who was tackled by the officer had the weapon in his hand at the time and made stabbing motions towards them; however, it was unsuccessful.
Another weapon was found hidden inside the dorm’s toaster during a subsequent search. NYSCOPBA said it had blood on its tip.
After the incident, all four inmates were placed in a Special Housing Unit.
“Another day, another officer injured who won’t be returning to work for weeks because of his dislocated shoulder sustained subduing an inmate armed with a weapon. This puts another dent into the staffing crisis the plagues the prison system. These quick acting officers more than likely saved an inmate’s life while risking their own. The chaos that occurred in the dorm at Cayuga is a daily occurrence in the 42 prisons in New York, yet the State Legislature, who can impact the current violence by toughening policies, stands idly by and does nothing to protect staff. What will it take for the legislators to make meaningful change to improve safety? Do we need a staff member to be stabbed to death for this to occur?” – stated Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President.
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