Mark A. Vanderhoof, a corrections officer from Union Springs, has been charged with official misconduct and second-degree harassment following an incident at the Tompkins County Jail. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges after Vanderhoof allegedly struck an incarcerated individual last Friday.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident occurred when Vanderhoof hit the inmate with an open hand in the back of the head and face while the individual was seated at a table in their housing unit. The action was deemed unjustified, violating office policy and New York State Penal Law regarding the permissible use of force by corrections officers.
Vanderhoof, who was a recent transfer from the New York State Department of Corrections and had started two weeks prior, was terminated following the investigation. He was arraigned on Monday evening and released on his own recognizance. The case has been reported to state authorities, reflecting the sheriff’s office’s commitment to humane treatment standards.
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