An Auburn Correctional officer was injured last week after being stabbed with a homemade weapon by an inmate at a maximum-security facility.
According to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the incident happened on September 19, as the officer was monitoring inmates leaving the mess hall after lunch. A 56-year-old inmate initially walked past the officer, then doubled back and struck him in the stomach with an object later identified as a metal shank.
The officer deployed pepper spray, subduing the inmate, who was escorted to a Special Housing Unit. During a frisk, the metal weapon fell from the inmate’s pants. A second weapon — a plastic ice pick-style object — was also recovered near the scene.
The officer suffered a puncture wound to his stomach. He was treated by facility medical staff and later transported to Auburn Hospital for further care. He has not yet returned to duty.
The inmate, who is serving a life sentence for multiple violent crimes, including two murders and the shooting of a New York City police officer, was convicted in Kings County in 2001.
“This stabbing of an officer at Auburn is a perfect example of why the HALT Act needs to be amended immediately so the disciplinary system is stronger to deter vicious assaults like this,” stated Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President. “When you have an inmate who already killed two people and shot and wounded a police officer and is serving a life sentence with no ability for parole, there is nothing that a district attorney can do with additional charges that will deter it from happening again. Who goes to work thinking they might get stabbed? Our members have to question this daily and what is most disturbing to us is that the lawmakers think this is alright. They act like this is normal. Thankfully, this officer didn’t die, but someone will if the State Legislature doesn’t take the recommendations of the HALT Committee seriously and make the necessary changes to ensure the future safety for our members!”
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