Elmira, NY – A sergeant and officer were injured when they were attacked by inmates who were involved in separate fights at the maximum-security facility last week. The first incident occurred on Monday, March 16 at approximately 8:10 p.m. During evening recreation in the facility gym two inmates began fighting. Officers gave orders to stop fighting which they ignored. OC Pepper Spray was administered and the inmates stopped fighting. Both inmates were transported to the infirmary to be decontaminated. Following decontamination, one of the inmates charged at an officer and struck him in the left side of the head and neck. The officer grabbed the inmate in a body hold and brought him to the ground. Mechanical restraints were applied and the inmate was removed from the infirmary. The officer sustained minor abrasions and swelling and remained on duty.
The second incident occurred on Friday, March 20 at
approximately 12:10 p.m. An officer observed two inmates fighting near the
kitchen area. Several orders were given
to stop fighting but one inmate continued to attack the other. A sergeant responded to the scene and again
gave the inmate an order to stop fighting.
The inmate turned and struck the sergeant in the right side of the
mouth. OC Spray was administered and the
inmate became compliant. The inmate was removed from the area and placed in a
Special Housing Unit. The sergeant was
treated by medical staff for a small laceration to his lip. He stayed on duty.
“Assaults on staff
continue to occur even as our members do their best to provide a safe
environment for the inmates during this pandemic. Like all law enforcement officers, we are on
the front lines providing safety and security for our communities knowing the
health risks that exist. I can’t express
enough, the admiration I have for those men and women who put on their uniform
every day and go to work.” – stated Mark Deburgomaster, Western Region Vice
President.
