Three corrections officers and a sergeant were injured during an incident last week at the Elmira Correctional Facility.
According to NYSCOPBA, the union representing corrections officers, the incident happened on April 15 when two inmates were fighting in the stairwell while heading back to their cells following morning programming. An officer confronted the pair with one inmate returning to his cell; however, the second did not and ran up the stairwell. When the CO confronted the inmate, he allegedly lunged at the officer, causing them both to fall down the stairs with the inmate on top of the officer.
Two responding officers were able to place the inmate in a body hold as he tried to stand; however, the inmate remained combative, even after being forced to the floor. It is at this point where he is accused of striking one CO in the face and biting another in the back.
Eventually, the inmate was placed in handcuffs and brought back to his feet.
A sergeant responded to the incident and was struck in the face by the inmate.
After being forced to the ground, the inmate became compliant and was taken from the cell block.
All four officers were treated by medical staff at the correctional facility. One was then taken to Arnot Ogden Medical Center for a fractured heel. The officer who was bit on the back was taken to Guthrie Medical Center and was treated for a lip laceration as well as knee and shoulder injuries. The sergeant was also taken to Guthrie for fractured metacarpal bone in his hand along with abrasions to his head and face. The final officer remained on duty after being treated for forearm abrasions and knee pain.
The 34-year-old inmate, serving a 12-15-year sentence for 2017 arson and assault convictions, was transferred to Five Points Correctional Facility following the incident.
In an unrelated incident, two inmates were allegedly cut by an unknown weapon during a fight in the fieldhouse on April 12. Chemical agents were introduced after inmates refused to cease a three-on-two fight during their recreation period. The inmates then stopped fighting and were taken out of the fieldhouse for decontamination. Two inmates had cuts to their faces, NYSCOPBA reports, which were consistent with a cutting weapon; however, a search of the fieldhouse and inmates’ cells failed to recover any weapons.
Following medical treatment, the inmates were placed in Special Housing Units pending disciplinary actions.
“The violence at Elmira Correctional Facility is well documented and continues at historic levels. This latest attack leaves an officer and supervisor undoubtedly out of work while recovering from their injuries at a time when staffing levels are already at an all-time low across the state. As we await for the hammer to fall with more prison closures, as legislators think somehow that’s an answer, there is no relief in sight. All additional prisons closures will do is increase the inmate population, who are already extremely violent, in other facilities and put an unfair burden on staff who are already stretched to the limit with mandatory overtime and reduced staffing levels. If ever there was a week in which our elected officials should wake up and begin to show real support to law enforcement it certainly should be this one with losing a Syracuse Police Officer and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Lieutenant to a senseless shooting. While legislators continue to protect their private interests in Albany in the budget, an Albany Police officer is ambushed and shot by a suspect in the Capitol’s backyard. Will it take the loss of an officer and lieutenant for them to wake up and begin to support the brave men and women who protect all New Yorkers including correctional officers? It certainly doesn’t seem that way – at least for those who supported ridiculous legislation like the HALT Act and bail reform, and continue to coddle convicts!”-stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President.
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