GOUVERNEUR, New York (WWNY) – Editor’s note: Some people might find the photo of the correction officer’s injuries disturbing. The picture, provided by the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, is at the end of this article.
A correction officer was seriously injured after being assaulted by an inmate at Gouverneur Correctional Facility Wednesday.
That’s according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which said the CO was knocked unconscious and sustained multiple injuries, including a broken rib, a fractured nose and dental damage.
DOCCS describes the attack
DOCCS said an inmate attacked the officer in a housing dorm at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday. The CO was treated at a hospital and later released.
“The officer is currently recovering at home, and the Department extends its thoughts and wishes for a swift and full recovery,” DOCCS said in an email.
The state did not disclose the names of the CO and inmate and did not release information about what became of the inmate.
Union says two inmates were involved
The union representing corrections officers says an incident report shows the CO was assaulted by two inmates.
In a news release, NYSCOPBA said the incident began inside a housing unit when the officer attempted to conduct a pat frisk of an inmate who was acting aggressively. The union said another inmate grabbed the officer from behind. When the officer turned around, that inmate repeatedly struck him in the face. The officer was knocked down and believes he may have lost consciousness, the union said.
NYSCOPBA said staff arrived and found one of the inmates on the bathroom floor, with blood in the immediate area. The injured officer was nearby with blood and significant bruising to his face.
Officers used force to regain control, union says
According to the union, as staff tried to secure one of the inmates, he became noncompliant and aggressive. Multiple officers were required to use physical force and mechanical restraints to gain control. While taking him to the infirmary, the union said the inmate again became aggressive, pushed backward against officers, and attempted to spit on one of them.
NYSCOPBA said the injured CO suffered lower abdominal pain, jaw swelling, a swollen eye, cuts, lost a tooth, and bleeding from the nose, and was taken to a hospital emergency room.
The union said a second officer reported lower back pain following the incident but remained on duty. Other responding officers were evaluated by medical staff, and no injuries were reported at that time.
Investigation details sequence of assault
The investigation determined that one individual became combative and failed to follow staff direction before the second individual repeatedly struck the officer in the face. After the officer was knocked down and lost consciousness, the first individual joined the assault and struck him.
NYSCOPBA has long blamed the HALT Act, which limits how long inmates spend in solitary confinement, as a reason for a rise in inmate violence.
“This was a vicious and completely unacceptable attack on a correction officer who was simply doing his job,” said NYSCOPBA Central Region Vice President Bryan Hluska. “Our officers continue to walk into increasingly dangerous environments and are expected to somehow maintain order while the system continues to tie their hands. There must be real consequences for incarcerated individuals who violently assault correction officers. These attacks cannot continue to be treated as simply part of the job.”
The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association provided this photo of the injured CO.(New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association)
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