ALDEN, N.Y. (WKBW) — Seven corrections officers were injured and two more were treated for blood exposure following an incident with an inmate at Wende Correctional Facility in Alden on Sunday.
The New York State Corrections Officers and Police Benevolent Association says the incident started around 8:35 p.m. Sunday evening, when an officer ordered an inmate to get off the phone and return to his cell.
After initially refusing, the inmate started to comply, but the PBA says the inmate grabbed a broom handle before entering his cell and approached staff. Staff ordered the inmate to drop the broom handle and OC spray, also known as pepper spray, was applied. The inmate, 28, who was not named by the PBA, continued to approach officers.
After several more attempts to use pepper spray were unsuccessful, an officer wrapped their arms around the inmate and tackled him to the floor. The inmate allegedly slammed the officer's head into the floor and punched him in the midsection. He was pepper sprayed again, and attempted to run down the cell block, followed by additional officers. In the struggle to handcuff the inmate, six additional officers were injured. Of the seven total officers injured, one was treated at an area hospital and six were treated by staff on site. The six officers treated inside the facility remained on duty.
While being transported to receive medical treatment, the inmate is accused of spitting blood in the face of one of the escorting officers and kicking a second officer in the face with a boot that had come in contact with blood. The two officers were taken to an area hospital to receive treatment for blood exposure.
According to the PBA, the inmate was placed in a Special Housing Unit after receiving treatment. He will face internal disciplinary charges. The PBA says the inmate is at Wende to serve a two-to-four-year sentence for first-degree criminal contempt out of Queens County.
