Five correction officers were injured after an inmate attacked staff inside Auburn Correctional Facility earlier this month. The incident happened March 2 during evening movement for dinner.
A 49-year-old inmate punched an officer who was monitoring inmate movement after being released from his cell for the meal, according to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.
The inmate then used a sharpened piece of metal with a taped handle to stab another officer once in the upper left arm and twice in the upper back, the union said.
After the attack, the inmate ran down the cell block before lying on the floor when officers initiated an emergency response.
Staff were able to handcuff and escort the inmate out of the cell block. During the escort, however, the inmate became combative, kicking officers and striking one in the knee until officers applied leg restraints.
The inmate continued to resist as officers placed him on a stretcher to take him to the facility’s frisk room.
While officers searched him for contraband, the inmate reportedly reached toward his waistband. Officers restrained him again and secured handcuffs before completing the search.
Medical staff treated five officers following the incident.
Four officers suffered injuries to the knee, shoulder, hand and thumb but remained on duty. The officer who was stabbed was taken to Auburn Community Hospital with puncture wounds to the arm and back, injured ribs and a swollen jaw.
Staff recovered the weapon used in the attack, according to the union.
The inmate was convicted in Westchester County in 2013 of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is serving a sentence of 20 years to life.
After the incident, union officials said the officer who was stabbed is expected to recover physically but argued the assault highlights ongoing safety concerns in state prisons. They also renewed calls for changes to New York’s HALT Act, which regulates the use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities.
The inmate was later taken to the prison infirmary for medical evaluation and is scheduled to be transferred to Five Points Correctional Facility.
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