4 officers injured by inmates at Orleans Correctional

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

ALBION – Two inmates attacked staff at the Orleans Correctional Facility, injuring four officers in two separate attacks this month.

Both of the incarcerated persons are eligible for release and parole in the next year.

On Wednesday, April 10, an inmate was being disruptive and yelling in one of the facility dorms. To de-escalate the situation, two officers escorted the inmate out of the dorm and ordered him to submit to a pat frisk for contraband.

Prior to the pat frisk, the inmate turned suddenly and attempted to punch one of the officers but missed. The two officers forced the inmate to wall with a body hold and then forced him to the ground.

The inmate was combative on the ground, and OC spray was administered with no effect. The officers forced the inmate’s arms behind his back and applied handcuffs. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant.

The inmate was brought to his feet and escorted to a Special Housing Unit. When officers removed his handcuffs, he struck one officer in the left eye. Staff used body holds again and forced him to the ground.

On the ground, the inmate bit one of the officers in the calf and refused to release the bite. OC spray was utilized with no effect. Staff used force to successfully get the inmate to release his bite. Handcuffs were applied and the inmate became compliant.

Three officers were injured in the attack. One officer sustained a swollen eye and small laceration to the corner of his eye. The officer who was bit, sustained broken skin to his calf and medical staff deemed his exposure to be significant. The third officer sustained a hand injury subduing the inmate. The three officers were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The inmate, 45, is serving a 25 years to life sentence after being convicted in Nassau County in 2002 for Murder 2nd, Robbery 1st and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd. He is eligible for a parole hearing in August of 2025.

The second attack occurred inside of a dorm on Saturday, April 20. An inmate approached the officer’s station in the dorm and struck the officer in the jaw. The officer immediately grabbed the inmate in a body hold and forced him to the floor.

On the floor, the inmate grabbed the dorm phone from the officer’s station and struck the officer in the head with the phone. The officer administered OC spray which had no effect. Another inmate in the dorm attempted to pull the inmate off the officer.

The inmate grabbed that inmate in a choke hold and bit his ear. The officer administered a second round of OC spray which this time was effective. The inmate released the choke hold and became compliant. He was placed in handcuffs and escorted to a Special Housing Unit.

The officer sustained abrasions and swelling to his head and a laceration to inside his cheek. He was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The inmate who attempted to help the officer sustained a laceration to his ear that needed seven sutures to close.

The inmate, 32, is serving his third stint in state prison. Currently, he is serving a seven year sentence after being convicted in Erie County in 2019 for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd. Previously, he served prison stints in 2009 and 2013 for weapons possession.

He is eligible for conditional release on April 29.

“The fact that the two inmates, who should be on their best behavior with their freedom in sight, completely disregard that and this is another example of the disastrous impact the HALT Act has had on our prison system,” said Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President. “Any normal person should be doing everything they can to gain their freedom, yet these two inmates know there isn’t an internal disciplinary system left.

“In both these attacks, our only hope is that the criminal charges in both attacks will somewhat hold the inmates accountable. It is the last line of defense we have to protect staff and other inmates from being attacked,” Gold said. “We already know that the supporters of HALT could care less about our members, but you would think that they would change their mindset when other inmates that are attempting to help officers become victims as well!”