Two correction officers were injured after an inmate armed with a homemade weapon attacked staff during a wellness check at the Mid-State Correctional Facility on May 29.
According to officials, the incident began when an officer conducting routine rounds noticed an inmate had covered the window of his cell with a towel, preventing staff from seeing inside. After repeated attempts to communicate with the inmate were unsuccessful, a response team made up of three correction officers and a National Guard member entered the cell to conduct a welfare check.
Once inside, staff discovered the inmate hiding in an attached recreation pen. Officials said the inmate suddenly charged at the team while wielding a homemade weapon.
A National Guard member used a shield to push the inmate back as he repeatedly attempted to stab responding personnel. During the struggle, one correction officer was stabbed in the forearm and another was stabbed in the knee before staff were able to bring the inmate under control.
The inmate continued to resist after being taken to the ground but was eventually restrained, handcuffed, and moved to a holding cell without further incident.
Both injured officers were treated at the facility before being transported to a local urgent care center, where they received stitches. Both are expected to recover.
Investigators later recovered a six-inch sharpened weapon from the inmate’s cell. The weapon was reportedly made from a piece of plastic broken off the inmate’s electronic tablet.
The inmate has since been transferred to Auburn Correctional Facility.
Bryan Hluska, Central Region Vice President for the correction officers’ union, said the incident highlights the dangers officers face when responding to inmates who intentionally block visibility into their cells.
“Armed with a homemade weapon, the inmate clearly intended to attack staff and succeeded in stabbing two officers before being subdued,” Hluska said. He credited the responding officers and National Guard member with quickly gaining control of the situation and preventing additional injuries.
Hluska also argued that disciplinary options available under New York’s HALT Act are limited and said criminal prosecution may provide the most meaningful accountability in cases involving assaults on correction officers.
