Another inmate attack on officers at Green Haven

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Green Haven Correctional Facility. MHNN file photo.

STORMVILLE – A prisoner serving time for manslaughter and who was scheduled to be released in May, attacked and injured three officers inside his cell and it eventually took seven officers to get him under control and into handcuffs at the maximum-security Green Haven Correctional Facility.

The assault, which occurred on Tuesday, February 23, at approximately 5:55 p.m., was made public by the New York State Corrections Officers PBA, the union representing officers at state prisons.

According to the report, inmates had just returned to the cell block from evening meal and were being secured in their cells.  An officer approached a cell on the block and the inmate, standing at the cell door, swung a broom at the officer.  He then picked up a bucket of water and threw it on the officer and grabbed his shirt and pulled him into the cell.  The officer was able to get the inmate into a body hold and force him to the bed.  On the bed, the inmate was able to punch the officer on the side of the head.

A second officer arrived at the cell and administered two applications of pepper spray which had no effect.  The inmate, still violently struggling with both officers, struck the second officer in the nose and bit his index finger breaking the skin.  A third officer arrived at the cell and attempted to get the inmate under control with a body hold.  The inmate punched the third officer in the back of the head during the struggle.

As the officers attempted to get handcuffs on the inmate’s wrists, he was able to grab one side of the handcuffs and refused to let them go.  A sergeant arrived at the cell and administered two additional applications of pepper spray, which had no effect.

Additional staff arrived at the cell.  It took seven officers to gain control of the inmate and place him in handcuffs.  He was removed from the cell and brought to the facility infirmary.   At the infirmary, the inmate became unresponsive.  Narcan was administered by medical staff and the inmate became alert.  He was transported to an outside hospital for treatment of an apparent illegal drug reaction.

The inmate, 29, is serving a 14-year sentence after being convicted of manslaughter in 2012 in Bronx County.

Four officers were injured in the incident.  The first officer sustained swelling and bruising to his face.  He remained on duty.  The second officer sustained swelling and abrasions to his face and a bite to his index finger.  He was transported to an outside hospital for treatment.  The third officer sustained a small laceration to his hand.  He remained on duty.   The fourth officer sustained pain to both forearms from subduing the inmate.  He remained on duty.

“I strongly encourage the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute this inmate to the fullest extent of the law,” said NYSCOPBA Mid-Hudson Region Vice President Chris Moreau. “Scheduled for release from prison in just two months, he had no regard for the officers he attacked.  With a weakened disciplinary system there is no deterrent to stop situations like this from occurring on a regular basis.  An inmate, on the verge of re-entering society, violently attacking three officers and being so combative it took seven officers to get him under control, does not deserve the right to walk free without being held accountable for his actions. He needs to be prosecuted!”

 




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