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.