Pictured is Collins Correctional Facility which is part of the New York state prison downsizing plans.

COLLINS — Union and federal officials are speaking out after two incidents this month at Collins Correctional facility.

According to the New York State Corrections Officers & Police Benevolent Association, six officers required treatment at outside hospitals after sustaining multiple injuries during an assault by an inmate who refused to return to his cell at a medium security correctional facility. This was during one of two staff assaults that occurred during the first week of May.

“Eight officers requiring hospital treatment for injuries sustained at the hands of inmates is completely unacceptable, yet increasingly common,” said Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President. “Every day we have officers going to the hospital due to assaults and exposures. Every day the communities’ resources are depleted by the actions of convicts that have no fear of repercussions due to the HALT Act. To see what the families of our members go through daily wondering if their loved one will be injured at work is demoralizing, and unacceptable. No person should have to go to work and endure these conditions, nor should they feel abandoned by the lawmakers that enact these horrific laws. Before legislators leave for summer break, they need to adopt the HALT Committee’s recommendations and restore discipline for these actions. It is infuriating that these recommendations continue to be ignored, showing a clear disregard for staff and inmate safety.”

On Tuesday, May 5, staff attempted to remove a 51-year-old inmate from his cell to escort him to programming. Prior to the escort, officers inspected the inmate’s cell and found it to be non-compliant with facility rules. When ordered to return to his cell, the inmate turned aggressively and charged at officers, striking one in the mouth. Three officers responded with a body hold, forcing him to the ground, where he continued to resist, put an officer in a headlock while punching and attempted to assault other staff.

Officers were eventually able to secure the inmate’s arms behind his back and apply handcuffs. Leg restraints were also applied when the inmate continued to kick at staff.

Once restrained, he was brought to his feet and escorted to a holding cell.

The injured officers were treated initially at the facility and then transported to three outside hospitals for evaluation and treatment of elbow, shoulder, knee, hip, shin, hand, and facial injuries. None of the officers involved returned to duty following the incident.

The inmate is serving a 10-to-12-year sentence after convictions in New York County for first-degree criminal contempt and first-degree attempted assault in 2018. He is eligible for parole in August.

The second incident occurred on Saturday, May 2. An officer assigned to one of the dorms observed a commotion coming from an inmate cube. Upon investigation, he found an inmate on the floor, visibly intoxicated and screaming incoherently. The officer called for a medical response, and the inmate was placed in handcuffs and on a stretcher. While being carried down a stairwell, the inmate began kicking, striking one officer in the upper body and grabbing the hands and wrists of another officer. Once under control, the inmate was escorted to the infirmary for evaluation. During the altercation an officer felt lightheaded

and had trouble breathing due to the interaction with the inmate that appeared under the influence. Officers sustained knee and hand injuries, as well as the effects of being exposed to an unknown substance in this incident. Two officers were treated at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital for their injuries, one officer was hospitalized due to what he went through.

“The HALT Act has empowered violent inmates, weakened discipline, and created an environment where assaults on officers and prison staff continue to rise,” said U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-District 23. “Even after last year’s prison strike and countless warnings from officers on the front lines, this administration refused to listen. Instead of standing with the men and women risking their lives every day, Kathy Hochul chose to side with far-left activists.

“How many more officers, counselors, nurses, and staff members have to be attacked before Albany admits these dangerous policies are failing? The Governor and legislature should be ashamed of themselves–they own this crisis, and the men and women in law enforcement are paying too steep a price with their safety. The HALT Act should be immediately repealed before another one of our officers are hurt or killed.”