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Union: Inmates targeting women correction officers at N.Y. prison

“There is no deterrent anymore for bad behavior in our prison system and it cannot be any more evident than in unprovoked attacks like this,” the union’s president said

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By Robert Harding
The Citizen, Auburn, N.Y.

AUBURN, N.Y. —The union representing state correction officers say women members are being targeted by incarcerated individuals at Auburn Correctional Facility.

The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association on Tuesday detailed two attacks on female correction officers that occurred within the last few weeks.

In an incident on Wednesday, Sept. 4, NYSCOPBA said a female sergeant approached an incarcerated individual standing near a metal fence in the prison’s south yard. Another incarcerated individual attacked the sergeant from behind, striking her in the head and causing her to fall into a metal fence post.

The sergeant, who was knocked unconscious, was transported to SUNY Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse for treatment. She was diagnosed with a concussion and a fractured elbow.

A separate attack was reported on Aug. 21, when a female officer was punched in the face by an incarcerated individual who assaulted staff while returning to a cell block.

“The attacks and serious injuries, especially on our female members, continue to grow with no end in sight,” said Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA’s western region president. “There is no deterrent anymore for bad behavior in our prison system and it cannot be any more evident than in unprovoked attacks like this.”

Seven other officers were injured in the attacks, according to the union. After the female sergeant was assaulted, officers responded and placed the incarcerated individual in a body hold. He was combative, but the union said officers were able to apply handcuffs.


How can a single corrections officer overcome multiple attackers? The video below discusses 12 recommendations COs can take in the event of an attack.


The incarcerated individual who attacked the female sergeant is serving 15 to 18 years in prison for burglary and sex abuse. He was transferred to Attica Correctional Facility after the incident.

A second incarcerated individual attempted to approach the unconscious sergeant in the yard, but was ordered to back away. When he did not follow those commands, NYSCOPBA said “chemical agents” were used and the incarcerated individual was handcuffed.

After being removed from the yard and taken to the infirmary for decontamination, the incarcerated individual was combative and headbutted an officer. The inmate was taken to the ground and placed in a body hold. According to the union, a search found a metal rod inside one of the inmate’s socks.

The incarcerated individual was placed in a special housing unit and is facing disciplinary charges.

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As officers responded in the south yard, incarcerated individuals in the main yard were directed to place their hands on the wall. One refused the order and was placed in a body hold, NYSCOPBA said. The inmate was being handcuffed when others began to advance toward staff, according to the union. Pepper spray was used to stop the inmates.

Eight officers were injured in the incidents, including one who broke a bone in their hand. Most were transported to Auburn Community Hospital for treatment. Two officers, who had head, knee and shoulder injuries, were treated by the prison’s medical staff.

The attacks are examples of the increasingly violent environment in state prisons. According to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision , there have been 1,457 assaults on staff and 1,945 assaults on incarcerated individuals this year.

The records for assaults on staff (1,671) and assaults on incarcerated individuals (2,107) were set in 2023.
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