(FILE PHOTO OF ELMIRA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY)

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) - An inmate at the Elmira Correctional Facility was injured after being attacked by other inmates causing several injuries to the cheek area.

According to NYSCOPBA, on August 3rd, an officer observed three inmates attack another inmate. Staff gave orders to the inmates to stop, but they were ignored. Tear gas was deployed in the fieldhouse, and the inmates stopped fighting. 

All inmates were removed from the fieldhouse for decontamination.  

The inmate who was initially attacked was treated by the facility medical staff for his injuries which included a five inch laceration to his cheek which needed 18 sutures to close. No staff were injured in the attack.

During the investigation, video of the attack showed one inmate making several slashing type motions at the inmate.

In a separate incident, a female officer had liquid thrown on her that smelled of urine and feces. The incident occurred on July 30th. The officer was on the bottom floor of a cell block when she was struck with the liquid from above him.

The inmate, who is 29, is serving a 13 year sentence after being convicted of Escape and two counts of Burglary in Bronx County in 2019. He was placed in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges.

It was determined an inmate in a cell above had thrown the liquid on the officer from a shampoo bottle.

"These are unprecedented times for our membership with inmate on staff and inmate on inmate assaults at historic levels. Only four short months have passed since the HALT Act went into place, and it is obvious that the legislators who supported this foolish and dangerous legislation have no regard for the men and women who don our uniform every day to keep our communities safe. Not even two weeks ago, multiple members were assaulted at Elmira and here we are reporting more violence again both on our members and inmate on inmate. Nothing will change until the legislature recognize their stance on HALT will lead to someone getting killed." stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President.