Eight officers at Auburn Correctional Facility were injured in separate incidents at the prison Sunday, according to the union representing corrections officers.
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association shared details about the assaults in a news release Wednesday. The first attack occurred in the mess hall after an officer ordered an inmate to submit to a contraband search, the union said. The inmate became combative and when the officer attempted to place them in a hold, the inmate punched the officer in the face.
NYSCOPBA said the officer suffered an orbital bone fracture and was transported to Auburn Community Hospital for treatment. The officer is out of work.
Four officers who responded to assist after the first officer was assaulted were also injured while trying to restrain the inmate. The injuries were minor and they remained on duty.
In a second incident, an inmate became disruptive in the mess hall during lunch. They were ordered to leave and escorted out of the area in handcuffs.
When the inmate was taken to their cell and the handcuffs were removed, they attacked an officer by striking them in the jaw. Additional officers responded and the inmate continued to fight with staff until handcuffs were placed on them again.
Three officers were injured in the incident. All were treated by prison medical staff and remained on duty.
Kenny Gold, president of NYSCOPBA's western region, criticized legislators for failing to take action to combat prison assaults.
"There is no end in sight to the violence and it will continue with the inaction of the state Legislature to adequately address the violence as they are more worried about the individuals that don't pay taxes rather than the taxpayers that serve their communities," Gold said.
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