Five officers and a sergeant were injured Saturday while attempting to escort an inmate at Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus to a Special Housing Unit, according to NYSCOPBA, the union representing corrections officers.
The union stated that, following a disciplinary hearing in which he was found guilty, the 25-year-old incarcerated individual was ordered into a Special Housing Unit. After being placed in handcuffs and a holding cell, the inmate allegedly spat at a sergeant, striking his upper body and face. Once taken to the Special Housing Unit, the handcuffs were removed and the individual was ordered to place his hands against the wall so he could be frisked for contraband. Once the cuffs were removed, NYSCOPBA says the inmate turned and bit an officer on his arm.
The sergeant and five officers then grabbed the inmate, forcing him to the floor and putting him into a body hold. The inmate remained combative, hicking at staff. At this time, while attempting to place him back in handcuffs, the inmate is said to have bitten the sergeant several times on his hand, wrist, and thigh. The inmate was then able to get both arms underneath his body, preventing officers from applying handcuffs. A second officer was bitten on his hand during the struggle.
Using force, staff were able to apply handcuffs, get the individual to his feet, and take him to a room for a strip frisk. NYSCOPBA added that he remained combative during the frisk. Once the frisk was completed, he was taken to a Special Housing Unit.
One officer and the sergeant had several bite marks, which broke the skin. They also suffered shoulder injuries while subduing the inmate. The second officer who was bitten had marks that did not break the skin. Two others suffered shoulder, arm, and knee injuries during the incident.
All staff were treated on site by medical staff, with five officers remaining on duty. The sergeant was taken to Thompson Medical Center for further treatment and did not return to duty.
The incarcerated individual is serving a six-to-seven-year sentence after being convicted in Erie County in 2022 of Assault and Attempting to Promote Prison Contraband.
“This assault at Five Points details out how difficult it is for staff to subdue an extremely combative inmate. Not only did he assault officers and a sergeant by biting them and breaking through the skin, but he also continued to be combative, injuring two more officers who were attempting to get him under control. Most people don’t understand this is occurring in a small, contained environment where staff get injured on concrete floors or being thrown into metal cell bars. This is exactly why the HALT Act failed so miserably. Inmates like this, who is scheduled for a parole interview in six months, know there are no real disciplinary actions that DOCCS can take when an inmate assaults staff. It is a direct result of the failed progressive criminal justice policies of State Legislature that has put us here and until they understand this, our members will continue to be punching bags for the inmates!”-stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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