By James McClendon
syracuse.com
ROMULUS, N.Y. — Four correctional officers and a sergeant were hospitalized Monday after a riot broke out in the mess hall of a maximum-security prison in Seneca County, union officials said.
The riot began Monday afternoon when two inmates refused to follow directions from three officers working in the mess hall at Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, union officials with the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association said Wednesday in a news release.
The officers grabbed one of the inmates in a body hold and began dragging him towards the exit, officials said. The officers wrestled the inmate to the ground outside the mess hall, where he continued to struggle, they said.
Another inmate jumped up from a table in the mess hall and ran towards the exit, officials said. Officers grabbed him and forced him against a wall, they said.
Multiple inmates then stood up and approached the officers in a threatening manner, officials said. Three inmates grabbed two officers near the exit door, and another officer was punched in the head when he tried to help, according to the release.
An inmate grabbed another officer, slammed him into a hand rail and punched him in the head, officials said. Another inmate then hit the officer and knocked him unconscious, they said.
Pepper spray was used and three of the inmates stopped fighting, officials said. One inmate continued to attack guards, punching and kicking them in the face, officials said.
The pepper spray was used again and the inmate eventually stopped resisting, officials said.
All inmates involved in the incident were placed in handcuffs and removed from the mess hall, according to the release.
Four of the inmates were transferred to Elmira Correctional Facility and placed in special housing units pending disciplinary charges, according to the release. Three other inmates were transferred to Attica Correctional Facility and placed in special housing units pending disciplinary charges, officials said.
The three inmates accused of inciting the riot were placed in special housing units at Five Points pending disciplinary charges, officials said.
Three officers were treated by prison medical staff for shoulder and lower back pain, officials said. They returned to work after being treated, according to the release.
Three officers and a sergeant were taken to Geneva Hospital for injuries to their jaws, heads, knees and for abrasions, officials said.
The officer who was knocked unconscious was taken to Cayuga Medical Center for a concussion. He was later released from the hospital.
The incident is still under investigation, officials said. No inmates or officers involved in the incident were identified by union officials.
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