Correction officers at Elmira Correctional Facility discovered an inmate had created a mannequin-style dummy in his bed earlier this month in an apparent attempt to make it appear he was asleep in his cell.
According to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the incident happened May 8 while a nurse and a National Guardsman were distributing medication to inmates.
Union officials said the staff members noticed what appeared to be a mannequin or dummy lying in the inmate’s bed. The figure was reportedly constructed from a crumpled T-shirt stuffed with pillow material, along with pants, white sneakers, and a knit hat arranged to resemble a sleeping inmate.
After noticing inconsistencies with the figure, staff alerted supervisors and entered the cell, confirming the inmate was missing.
Officials said an immediate search located the 42-year-old inmate in the facility mess hall. The inmate complied with orders and was escorted to a holding cell while staff investigated the incident.
A search of the inmate’s cell found no evidence of a security breach or escape attempt, according to union officials. The inmate, who is serving a seven-year sentence for second-degree assault following a 2025 conviction in Onondaga County, was placed on watch status as the investigation continued.
The incident occurred the same day correction officers responded to three separate inmate fights during recreation periods at the facility.
According to NYSCOPBA, more than a dozen inmates were involved in one large fight in the gymnasium. Officers recovered a sharpened toothbrush and a ceramic folding knife after using body holds, chemical agents, and a gas deployment system to stop the altercation.
Additional fights later broke out in recreation areas and the fieldhouse, requiring officers to use chemical spray and physical restraints to regain control.
Two officers suffered back, shoulder, and knee injuries while responding to the incidents. They were treated by facility medical staff and remained on duty.
In a statement, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President Kenny Gold praised staff for quickly identifying the inmate deception and responding to multiple violent incidents throughout the day while also criticizing state prison policies under the HALT Act.
