Inmate Attack Leaves Attica Correction Officer Hospitalized, Reports NYSCOPBA

ATTICA, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One Correction Officer remains hospitalized after suffering multiple fractures and a concussion, and two others were treated for injuries at area hospitals, following a violent inmate attack yesterday at Attica Correctional Facility.

According to reports an inmate responded to an Officer's routine verbal inquiry by attacking and punching the Officer repeatedly in the face, causing three facial fractures surrounding his right orbital bone and a concussion. The Officer was airlifted to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), in Buffalo, NY, where he continues to receive treatment for his trauma. 

This inmate deeply bit a responding Officer on his right forearm, and injured another Officer's knee, when they attempted to assist the attacked Officer. The bitten Officer was treated for his injury, as well as for potential complications from a significant blood exposure at ECMC; the other was treated for his knee injury at United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) in Batavia, NY. Both Officers were released following treatment. 

State Police are investigating the incident and are expected to file assault charges against the inmate.

"This incident at Attica is more proof of Governor Cuomo's and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's irresponsible approach to managing the budget of this public safety agency," said Donn Rowe, President of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA). "The state wants to create the illusion that the system is rife with empty beds, but this is only made possible by double-bunking inmates. Instead of taking the opportunity to right-size the system, and make it safer for Correction Officers and inmates – the state continues to warehouse inmates by double-bunking and maintaining crowded and understaffed facilities."

"The incident follows a number of violent assaults in facilities in New York State recently," stated Mike Dildine, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice-president.  Last week at Attica, an Officer was viscously assaulted, resulting in his nose being broken by an inmate.  Two weeks prior to that an Officer at Attica was assaulted and knocked unconscious.  These incidents reflect a general rise in violence perpetrated against NYSCOPBA members statewide in recent years. Since 2011, while the overall number of inmate-on-Officer assaults has gone down, the rate of violent assaults has actually increased. The same statistical trend can also be seen in the number of inmate-on-inmate assaults, and incidents of contraband being found in the possession of inmates. The trend points to the fact that while the inmate population has decreased, the State is housing a more violent inmate in its facilities."

Contact: Michael Dildine, 518-275-6656

SOURCE NYSCOPBA, Inc.