DANNEMORA/OGDENSBURG — A series of violent incidents and a major contraband seizure at two upstate correctional facilities left multiple officers injured and highlight ongoing safety concerns inside New York’s prison system.
At Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, eight officers were injured over a six-day span following five separate incidents, including assaults, inmate fights and suspected drug-related disturbances.
Officials said several of the incidents involved inmates believed to be under the influence of contraband substances, leading to aggressive behavior toward staff. In one case, an officer was punched in the face while attempting to escort an inmate, while another incident resulted in an officer being kicked in the head during rounds in the facility hospital.
Violence also broke out among inmates. A large fight involving nearly 30 individuals erupted in the recreation yard, requiring multiple rounds of chemical agents to bring under control. Weapons were later recovered from the scene. In a separate mess hall incident, a dozen inmates became involved in a fight that left one person hospitalized with stab wounds.
Meanwhile, at Riverview Correctional Facility in Ogdensburg, officers intercepted more than two pounds of marijuana smuggled into the prison through a shipment hidden inside a microwave, according to officials.
Authorities said the contraband was discovered after an inmate attempted to flee with a bag containing the substance. A search of the area uncovered additional vacuum-sealed marijuana, bringing the total seizure to over two pounds. One officer sustained minor injuries during the arrest.
In a separate incident at Riverview, a convicted murderer attacked multiple officers during a medical escort, striking them repeatedly before being subdued with chemical spray. Two officers were hospitalized, including one who suffered an orbital fracture.
Union officials said the incidents reflect the growing dangers correctional staff face daily, citing increased violence and the continued flow of drugs into facilities.
The investigations into both the contraband smuggling and assaults remain ongoing.
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