A sergeant and four correction officers were injured during a series of violent incidents over a four-week period at Five Points Correctional Facility in Seneca County, including two weapon attacks by the same inmate, multiple assaults on staff, and several large inmate fights.
According to the corrections officers’ union, three staff members were transported to Geneva General Hospital for treatment following the incidents, which occurred between May 30 and June 23.
The first two incidents involved the same inmate on consecutive days.
On May 30, officials said the inmate attempted to stab a sergeant with a homemade shank as the sergeant opened a feed hatch to apply handcuffs. The sergeant reacted quickly, closing the hatch and pinning the inmate’s arm before the weapon could make contact.
The following day, the same inmate allegedly attacked again while the sergeant was removing handcuffs through the feed hatch. Officials said the inmate repeatedly slashed at the sergeant with another weapon, striking him in the forearm before the hatch was closed. The sergeant suffered a laceration and was transported to Geneva General Hospital for treatment.
Staff believe the weapon used in the first attack was flushed down a toilet, while the weapon used in the second assault has not been recovered.
Later on May 31, a correction officer conducting security rounds was assaulted when an inmate threw a cup containing urine and feces through a cell door, striking the officer in the face and mouth. The officer was treated at the facility before being taken to Geneva General Hospital because of significant exposure and irritation to one eye.
On June 21, officers responded to a large fight in a recreation yard after inmates ignored repeated orders to stop fighting. Officers used pepper spray to stop the disturbance and restrained a combative inmate who allegedly struck one officer with his shoulder and spat on another while being escorted from the yard.
At the same time, two additional inmate fights broke out near the basketball court and weight area. Pepper spray was again deployed to restore order. After the incidents, officers recovered a sharpened toothbrush that had been fashioned into a weapon and discovered two bundles of marijuana during a search of one of the inmates involved.
Another violent confrontation occurred on June 22 after an inmate refused orders to return to his cell following afternoon recreation. According to officials, the inmate struck an officer during an attempted restraint, and three additional inmates rushed toward staff. One inmate allegedly knocked an officer to the ground and climbed on top of her before other officers intervened.
Three officers sustained injuries to their knees, hands, elbows and faces and were treated by medical staff at the facility. A sergeant suffered hand and knee injuries, was transported to Geneva General Hospital with a sprained knee, and did not return to duty.
The final incident occurred June 23 when two inmates refused orders to return to their cells and blocked the entrance to a housing unit. One inmate complied after being restrained against a wall, while the second fought with officers before additional staff forced him to the ground and applied handcuffs. No staff members were injured during that incident.
All inmates involved in the incidents face internal disciplinary charges.
Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President for the corrections officers’ union, said the incidents demonstrate the dangers correction officers routinely face.
“These incidents demonstrate the constant volatility inside our state prisons,” Gold said. “Our members were attacked with homemade weapons, exposed to bodily fluids, forced to respond to multiple large-scale inmate fights, and assaulted while simply performing routine security duties.”
Gold also called for stronger disciplinary measures and criminal prosecution for inmates who assault correctional staff.
