WYOMING COUNTY/Multiple officers injured at Wyoming Correctional Facility

Inmate High on Drugs Attacks Staff


Attica, NY – Five officers sustained minor injuries after an inmate, who appeared under the
influence of drugs, attacked the initial officers who attempted to escort him off of a dorm facility
at the medium security correctional facility.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 30.

Initially, an officer on routine rounds in one of the dorms heard loud yelling and screaming coming from an area of the dorm. That officer, accompanied by a second officer, went to investigate. They located an inmate who was yelling and flailing his arms erratically around. The two officers began to escort the inmate to the recreation room when he suddenly turned and struck one of the officers in the left side of the face with a closed fist. The two officers immediately placed the inmate in a body hold and forced
him to the ground. They called for assistance as the inmate continued to be combative on the ground. Additional staff arrived and after the inmate ignored orders to stop fighting, OC spray was administered. The OC spray had no effect. Staff were able to force the inmate’s arms behind his back and apply handcuffs.

The inmate was brought to a facility van and transported to the infirmary to be decontaminated
and evaluated. At the infirmary, medical staff determined that the inmate was under the influence of unknown drugs. After treatment, he was placed in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges.
Five officers were treated by medical staff for injuries. The officer who was punched in the face
sustained pain and swelling to the left side of his face and ear, and slight dizziness. The second
officer sustained a shoulder injury with limited range of motion. The three officers who responded to the incident sustained minor hand injuries subduing the inmate.

All five officers remained on duty.

“Last week we reported on an inmate who viciously attacked staff at Cayuga prison and who was
eligible for parole in July. Very similar circumstances in this latest assault at Wyoming. An inmate
who was already paroled and returned to prison for violating the conditions of his parole, high
on drugs and attacking and injuring staff last week. He once again is eligible for release this
summer. The circumstances of the attacks might change, but the common denominator with all
of them is there is no disciplinary system left to deter inmates from breaking rules inside the
facilities. The New York State Legislature took that away when they enacted the HALT Act. They
continue to deny the facts of what their ill-conceived legislation has created. A dangerous work
environment for staff every waking moment of every day.”– stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA
Western Region Vice President.