COXSACKIE — Three corrections officers were injured last Thursday at Greene Correctional Facility after they were attacked by an inmate, said James Miller, director of public relations at New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.
Information about the incident was released Wednesday by NYSCOPBA.
One officer had pain and swelling to the right side of his face, both shoulders, nose, jaw, back of the head and back. Two other officers received injuries to the knee, lower back, ankle and wrist. All three were treated by medical staff at the prison and remained on duty, Miller said.
“This was an unprovoked and violent assault on a senior officer that was forced to fight for his life until back-up arrived,” said Chris Moreau, NYSCOPBA Mid-Hudson Region vice president, in a statement.
“The governor’s efforts to close prisons is only increasing the density of the most violent inmates. If he’s going to continue down this reckless path he should be increasing staffing levels at the remaining facilities,” Moreau said.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in 2020 a plan to close three state prisons.
The unidentified inmate, 34, is serving a 10-year sentence for second-degree assault after being convicted in Warren County in 2012, Miller said.
On Jan. 28, at about 4:31 p.m., an officer noticed the inmate was acting erratically in one of the dormitories, Miller said. The officer followed the inmate into the recreation room, where the inmate picked up the officer, slammed him to the floor and jumped on top of him, according to Miller.
The inmate began striking the officer in the right side of the face and upper body, Miller said.
When other staff members arrived, the inmate jumped off the officer and ran into a dorm area with two officers chasing him. The inmate began throwing punches at both officers, but was unable to strike them. One of the officers grabbed the inmate in a body hold but he violently struggled to get away, Miller said.
Pepper spray was used and the inmate fell to the ground, Miller said. Officers then used body holds to restrain the inmate while he was placed in handcuffs. Once he was in handcuffs, the inmate stopped struggling.
He was removed from the dorm area and placed in a special housing unit pending disciplinary charges, Miller said.