By Sarah Roebuck
Corrections1
ROMULUS, N.Y. — Two corrections officers were stabbed and another received a hand injury during an incident at Five Points Correctional Facility, WETM reports.
The assault happened on Jan. 2 after a 26-year-old inmate was ordered out of his cell but refused several orders, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) said.
After officers attempted to get the inmate out several times, officers had to resort to pepper spray before going into the inmate’s cell to remove him, NYSCOPBA said.
When the team of corrections officers opened the door to the cell, the inmate charged at the officers with a shank, making stabbing motions toward the head and neck of staff members. One officer used a shield to push the inmate back into his cell, but the inmate continued to fight back with the shank, NYSCOPBA said.
One officer was stabbed in the forearm and another was stabbed in the chest, but the shank wasn’t able to go through the officer’s gear, NYSCOPBA said.
The inmate was eventually restrained and the weapon was seized. Officials said the shank was made from the inmate’s assigned electronic tablet.
A second weapon was found under the inmate’s desk in his cell during a search.
The injured officer was taken to the hospital and received stitches. The officer is still out of work due to blood exposure. The second injured officer remained on-duty following the attack and received minor injuries during the incident, and a third officer was treated and released from the hospital for minor injuries to their wrist.
How can corrections officers spot makeshift weapons? In the video below, explore expert advice on identifying and preventing the use of makeshift weapons in jails. Understand the signs and the inventive methods inmates use to create these dangerous items.