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NY CO slashed by gang member he was transporting to cell

The inmate slashed the CO with his metal name tag, which he ripped from the CO’s shirt during the attack

By Sarah Calams

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — A corrections officer was slashed in the neck by a gang-affiliated accused murderer.

NYPost.com reported that the Nassau County Correctional Facility CO was escorting inmate Westley Witts, a Bloods gang member, to the mental observation housing area when Witts pulled the officer into a cell and assaulted him.

Officials said Witts used the CO’s uniform name tag as a weapon, slashing the officer with a several-inch long gash along the right side of his neck. A second officer responded, but three other inmates ran into the cell and began attacking the officers, according to the report.

“There has been a dramatic increase in violence in our facility with fights and several slashings over the past several weeks as County Executive Laura Curran and Sheriff James Dzurenda continues a dramatic consolidation of this facility, following the reckless release of inmates resulting from bail reform and COVID-19,” Brian Sullivan, president of the Nassau County Sheriff Correction Officers Benevolent Association, said.

A Nassau County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said a full review of the incicent will be conducted.

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