(FILE)

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- 10 corrections officers were injured during the course several incidents that spanned just three days. The union representing corrections officers, NYSCOPBA, blames the recent "HALT" Act for the increase in violence at Elmira Correctional, and at other NYS DOCCS facilities statewide.

The recently passed "HALT" Act  limits the use of solitary confinement. NYSCOPBA says at current pace, 2022 will be the most violent year with attacks on prison staff in recent New York State history.

NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President, Kenny Gold, said, “As the legislative session ended last week without any changes made to the HALT Act, facility violence continues to surge. At the current pace assaults on staff will increase by ten percent more than last year-which was the most violent year in recent history! This horrible legislation has made already tense facilities turn into extremely dangerous environments in less than three months. There is absolutely no end in sight to the rise in violence and the responsibility falls solely on the shoulders of the legislators who supported HALT.”

At Elmira Correctional, seven recorded incidents happened between June 4th and June 6th. The union says all of the inmates involved will face disciplinary charges, and several inmates were placed in special housing units.

RECENT ATTACKS AT ELMIRA CORRECTIONAL, ACCORDING TO NYSCOPBA:

  • On June 4, in the fieldhouse of the facility,  officers observed 12 inmates fighting and making slashing motions.  After several orders were ignored to stop fighting, chemical agents were deployed.   Once order was restored, staff located seven shank type weapons from the fieldhouse floor.  During the incident, one officer was injured subduing one of the combative inmates.  Several inmates were treated for multiple puncture wounds and lacerations that were consistent with a weapon being used.

  • On June 4, an inmate reported to an officer that he was cut to the back of his head by an unknown inmate.  The attack occurred from behind and the inmate could not identify his attacker.     The inmate needed to be taken to an outside hospital to close the wound to the back of his head.  Staff searched the injured inmate’s cell and located a metal shank and a Sim card for a cell phone in the cell. 

  • On June 4, officers witnessed two inmates fighting.  One inmate was on top of the other and was making slashing motions.  Staff gave the two inmates orders to stop fighting and they complied.  One of the combatants had multiple lacerations consistent with a cutting type weapon.  He was treated in the facility infirmary for his injuries.    

  • On June 5, officers witnessed four inmates fighting in the mess hall.  A second fight broke out involving five inmates.  Several staff orders were ignored to stop fighting.  Multiple officers in the mess hall used body holds on several inmates to break up the two fights.  After order was restored, staff recovered six make-shift weapons.  Several inmates sustained lacerations in the fight and were treated by medical staff in the infirmary.  Six officers sustained injuries from subduing the inmates.  They were treated in the infirmary and remained on duty. 

  • On June 5, three officers were injured when an inmate, who was being escorted back to his cell from the infirmary, struck the officer escorting him in the face and then fought with two officers who pursued him after the attack. 

  • On June 6, officers observed three inmates attack another inmate.  As orders to stop fighting were ignored, staff utilized OC spray to stop the fighting.  The inmate who was attacked by the other three inmates, sustained multiple lacerations consistent from a make-shift weapon.  Staff recovered one weapon after the incident. 

  • On June 6, an on-going investigation recovered three make-ship weapons and a cell phone charger and Sim card after staff conducted a search of an inmate’s cell.