BROCTON, N.Y. — A classroom program at Lakeview Correctional Facility turned violent this week when an inmate launched what union officials described as a “vicious” assault on a civilian counselor — and then on the correction officer who rushed in to help.
The incident happened Feb. 23 when a 34-year-old inmate serving a seven-year sentence for drug possession was seated in a classroom when he suddenly stood up and began striking a female civilian counselor repeatedly in the face and head, the NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (NYSCOPBA) said.
As the counselor attempted to retreat, the inmate continued the assault. She fell, striking her head on a metal desk before going to the floor, where the attack continued. An officer stationed outside the classroom immediately called for assistance while the counselor tried to defend herself, kicking at the inmate’s legs and groin in an effort to stop the assault.
Additional staff responded, but the union said the inmate refused orders to comply. One corrections officer attempted to gain control using a body hold but was repeatedly punched in the back of the head when the inmate broke free.
OC spray was deployed multiple times. NYSCOPBA said the chemical agent initially had no effect on the primary aggressor. During the response, a second inmate became involved but was quickly incapacitated with OC spray and returned to his seat.
It ultimately took four officers to bring the primary inmate to the ground and restrain him. Once handcuffed, he was escorted to a holding cell for decontamination and later transferred to Attica Correctional Facility.
Both the counselor and the officer who intervened were evaluated by facility medical staff before being transported to Westfield Hospital.
The counselor sustained injuries to her jaw, neck and head. The responding officer was diagnosed with a concussion and reported swelling and pain to the back of his head. A second officer assisting in the restraint was treated at the facility for shoulder and elbow injuries.
Union raises concerns about restraints, HALT Act
The inmate was convicted in Niagara County in 2024 of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
In a statement, Kenny Gold, Western Region vice president for NYSCOPBA, said the inmate had previously been involved in a four-person fight earlier in February inside what he described as an unrestrained classroom setting. He also said the inmate had been removed from a restraint chair in December.
“This was a callous and savage assault on both the female civilian counselor and the officer during a routine program,” Gold said. “Without the actions of the officer who ultimately suffered a concussion, the civilian female counselor could’ve been hurt worse or possibly killed at the hands of an inmate who is not afraid of any repercussions.”
Gold also urged state lawmakers to revisit policies surrounding the use of mechanical restraints in disciplinary units created after the implementation of the HALT Act.
“We are begging to be allowed to restrain inmates for the safety of staff and inmates alike so they can get the programs they need, yet every conversation falls on deaf ears,” he said. “The legislators are in session, and they need to immediately address not only restraining the convicted, but they also need to make it their priority to address the recommendations of the HALT committee to make it safer for everyone that works and lives inside state prisons. Their inaction will most certainly get an employee killed.”
The incident remains under investigation.
