A conviction of an inmate tied to a February 2024 incident that injured two corrections officers may signal justice being served, but it is far from good news. The announcement of the decision came Thursday afternoon for Windsor Coleman, 36, formerly of Massapequa.

Coleman was found guilty of four counts of felony second-degree assault committed against Corrections Officers while he was housed in Lakeview Correctional Facility in Brocton, and two counts of felony first-degree promoting prison contraband, also occurring at the facility.

“Whether they work for the Sheriff’s Office at our local jail in Mayville or for the State in Brocton, ask any one of our Corrections Officers what their number one concern is on the job and you’ll hear the same answer: it’s not their own personal safety but the safety and security of the incarcerated individuals who are housed in their facility,” said Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt. “Each and every day, behind walls most of us will never pass through, our Corrections Officers put their personal safety on the line to protect others. In this regard they truly are our unsung heroes and should not have to fear for their personal safety while simply trying to do their jobs and earn a modest salary.”

Schmidt’s comments go directly to the highly criticized and maligned HALT– Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement — Act that limits the use of segregated confinement. This law, since its approval in 2021 appears to have empowered those behind bars while putting a state workforce at risk.

With this decision out of the way, another from a February case is pending in the future. That’s an unfortunate trend that makes New York lawmakers seem oblivious.