STORMVILLE – A 33-year-old Green Haven Correctional Facility inmate violently attacked and injured four officers on May 25 leaving one officer hospitals, the New York State Correctional Officers Police Benevolent Association reported.
The inmate, whose name was not released, was convicted in New York County for attempted murder, assault and robbery. He was transferred to Sullivan Correctional Facility after the Green Haven incident.
The union said the inmate, who is serving a 10-year sentence, was in the infirmary being examined. Afterwards, two nurses and two officers began to leave the infirmary. The inmate started to follow the nurses out. One of the officers ordered the inmate to stop but he refused. The officer approached the inmate and was struck by him twice in the face. The second officer grabbed the inmate and pushed him up against the wall, but the inmate broke free and punched the officer in the face, knocking him unconscious.
A third officer responded and was punched in the head and body by the inmate. The two officers grabbed him as he continued to kick and punch the officers. A fourth officer came in and hit the inmate with pepper spray to get him to comply without any affect. The officers were finally able to get the inmate’s hands behind his back and into restraints.
The officer knocked unconscious regained consciousness and was transported to Vassar Brothers Medical Center for treatment of a bloody nose, concussion and numbness to his extremities. He was hospitalized overnight for observation.
A second officer was transported by the hospital by ambulance where he was treated for a concussion, facial, neck and arm contusions. He was treated and released.
A third officer was taken to the hospital by ambulance and treated for a cervical strain and contusion to his left rib. He was treated and released.
A fourth officer sustained minor injuries, but remained on duty.
“This incident is a perfect example of how dangerous the environment can be inside our prisons,” said Michael Mazzella, union Mid-Hudson regional vice president. He said the attack was unprovoked and that the same inmate earlier that morning struck a female officer with an unopened can while she made her rounds. He said the day before, an inmate attempted to attack three officers with a makeshift wooden shank. Pepper spray was used but without any affect.
“The environment for our members continues to get more dangerous every day without [the state Department of Correctional Services] making any changes to protect them,” Mazzella said.
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