At least 10 corrections officers were hurt during a string of incidents that happened over three days at the Elmira Correctional Facility.
The union that represents the officers blamed the recent HALT Act for the increased violence. They say Elmira is not an outlier and that violence has been common at facilities across the state.
The HALT Act limits the use of solitary confinement. The union says 2022 will be the most-violent year for prison staff in recent history.
“As the legislative session ended last week without any changes made to the HALT Act, facility violence continues to surge. At the current pace assaults on staff will increase by ten percent more than last year-which was the most violent year in recent history! This horrible legislation has made already tense facilities turn into extremely dangerous environments in less than three months. There is absolutely no end in sight to the rise in violence and the responsibility falls solely on the shoulders of the legislators who supported HALT,” NYSCOPBA Western Vice President Kenny Gold said.
The facility reported seven incidents between June 4 and June 6.
On June 4, there was a fight involving 12 inmates. That same day an officer was cut in the back of the head by an unknown inmate in a separate incident.
On June 5 there was a fight involving four inmates at the mess hall. Another fight broke out involving five inmates shortly thereafter. Later that day an inmate being escorted back to his cell attacked an officer.
On June 6, officers observed three inmates attack another inmate. Another incident happened later that day.
In all of the incidents- one or several officers and inmates were injured.
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