4 Officers Injured In Inmate Attack At Sing Sing Prison

OSSINING, NY — In the latest report of violence at a famed New York prison, four correctional officers have been injured, according to the union representing the guards.

The NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association announced that four officers were injured earlier this month at Sing Sing, the maximum security correctional facility, after an inmate attacked a female officer, striking her several times in the face and body, and then injured three other officers who came to help the officer.

The officer was reportedly securing the cell block after inmates returned from the mess hall, when she noticed one inmate loitering and ordered him back into his cell.

She began to escort him back when he ran from her to his cell and closed the gate, according to the labor organization. The officer attempted to apply OC spray, which missed the inmate. The inmate struck the officer several times in the face, knocking her to the ground, according to the report. The inmate continued to strike the officer on the ground as additional officers responded, union officials said.

One of the responding officers grabbed the inmate in a body hold as the inmate grabbed the cell bars and refused to let go, according to union officials.

A second officer responded and used force to get the inmate to release his grip from the bars, the guards said. Still combative, the inmate fought with staff on the ground who attempted to place him in restraints, according to the reports.

A third officer arrived and assisted in applying handcuffs to the inmate. Once in handcuffs, the
inmate became compliant and was escorted to the facility medical clinic.

The injured officers were evaluated by medical staff at the facility. The female officer sustained
face, jaw, head, and abdomen injuries. One of the responding officers sustained pain and
swelling to his fingers and wrist.

Both officers were taken to Phelps Hospital and did not return to duty.

The additional two responding officers sustained injuries to their back, elbow, shoulder, and
hand. Both were treated at the facility and remained on duty.

The 32-year-old inmate is serving a 15-year sentence after being convicted in Genessee County for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in 2018, according to NYSCOPBA. After the attack, he was taken to Shawangunk Correctional Facility.

The attack took place days before the labor dispute at the prison ended.

"Lost in the chaos of the strike, was the fact that staff who remained working in prisons continued
to be attacked by violent inmates," David Luther, NYSCOPBA Southern Region Vice President said. "The unsafe conditions that existed prior to the strike will only continue until there are real solutions put in place to address the record levels of violence that have existed for the past two years. It is not only about protecting officers and civilian staff, but also the inmates who abide by the rules and are still getting attacked by other inmates. Nothing will change unless it is addressed by DOCCS and the State."