OSSINING –Three correction officers were injured at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining when they entered an inmate’s cell to get him medical help and he suddenly attacked one officer.
The incident occurred on Friday, February 7 at approximately 1:45 p.m.
The inmate was being watched by staff inside his cell. He began to pull medical staples out of his head from a previous incident. The officer who was watching him attempted to calm him down but was unsuccessful.
According to the account by the New York State Corrections Officers Police Benevolent Association, the union representing the officers, the inmate got up onto his cell bed and jumped face first into the cell bars. He landed on the floor and initially was unresponsive. Officers entered the cell to get him assistance. He suddenly jumped to his feet, head-butted the first officer and pushed him into the cell bars causing him to strike the back of his head.
The other two officers grabbed the inmate in a body hold and forced him to the floor. After a brief struggle, they were able to get mechanical restraints on him. He became compliant and was removed from the cell and brought to the infirmary for treatment.
Two officers were taken to an outside hospital for treatment. The officer who was head butted, sustained a laceration to his forehead. Both officers were treated and released. The third officer was treated by medical staff at the facility and remained on duty.
State Police were notified of the incident.
“The seriousness of this incident cannot be understated. Officers simply attempting to help an inmate who was injured are suddenly attacked. In one form or another, our members are attacked and injured by violent inmates on a regular basis,” said David Luther, vice president of the Southern Region of the New York State Corrections Officers Police Benevolent Association. “The lack of disciplinary measures when these assaults occur sends a clear message to the inmates that there are no ramifications for attacking staff and that is simply unacceptable.”
