Four separate throwing incidents at Auburn Correctional Facility left multiple staff members exposed to bodily fluids over a seven-day period, according to a release from the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association.
The incidents happened at the maximum-security prison in late January and sent several officers to Auburn Community Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The incidents involved inmates throwing or spraying urine- and feces-smelling liquids at staff members.
The first incident happened Saturday, January 17, when an officer conducting security rounds was struck in the back with a urine-smelling liquid thrown through cell bars. The inmate refused orders to exit the cell and ignited a small fire inside, which an officer extinguished with a fire extinguisher.
After repeated attempts to gain compliance failed, an extraction team entered the cell. During the incident, the inmate threw more liquid, striking a second officer. Officers secured the inmate and removed him from the cell. Both officers received medical treatment and were later transported to Auburn Community Hospital.
Later that same day, an officer monitoring the main yard saw one inmate spray another inmate with liquid from a container. A fight followed, and during the response, a sergeant and an officer were struck in the face with a feces- and urine-smelling liquid. OC spray was used, and both inmates became compliant. The sergeant and officer were treated and transported to the hospital and did not return to duty.
On Saturday, January 24, an officer conducting an inmate count was struck in the head and upper body by a urine-smelling liquid thrown from a cup. That officer was treated by facility medical staff and remained on duty.
The following day, another officer was struck in the face and eyes by urine-smelling liquid thrown from a cup while conducting security rounds. He was treated at the facility infirmary and transported to Auburn Community Hospital. He did not return to duty.
In a separate incident, staff recovered suspected drug-soaked paper during a routine pat frisk. While being secured in his cell, the inmate spit in an officer’s face. Additional suspected drug-soaked paper was later recovered from the inmate’s clothing and seized as evidence.
“These throwing incidents not only jeopardize the health of our members but further highlight a work environment that fails to prioritize the safety of the men and women who work inside these prisons every single day,” said Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President.
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