By Corrections1 Staff
COXSACKIE, N.Y. — Inmates at the maximum-security Coxsackie Correctional Facility assaulted at least 10 security personnel on August 1.
Ten of the personnel were injured, including four who required assessment and treatment at a hospital. According to a New York State Department of Corrections and Supervision Facebook post, “Four staff members were taken to an outside hospital for further treatment with injuries ranging from head trauma to blood exposure and four staff members with pain and swelling remained on duty.”
On the same date in 1988, inmates of the Coxsackie Correctional Facility held five corrections officers hostage for 14 hours in an incident described as “15 hours of terror.”
Michael Powers, president of the New York State Corrections Officers Police Benevolent Association, told CNHI that new restrictions on disciplining inmates have made New York’s prisons more dangerous.
“We’ve got some serious injuries here,” Powers said. “Coxsackie is under a great deal of pressure and stress, with our members working long hours. It’s very concerning to us.”
After the incident, a full frisk of the facility was undertaken while the incident remained under investigation.
“Violence such as this makes the work of the Department’s Prison Violence Task Force more crucial than ever to maintain the safety and security of our facilities,” the department stated in its Facebook post. “The Department has zero tolerance for violence within our facilities and any individuals found responsible for this incident will be disciplined and be referred for outside prosecution.”