Inmates throw unknown liquid at COs in Orleans, Attica prisons

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association
ALBION – A corrections officer in the Orleans Correctional facility had an unknown liquid thrown at him by an inmate three days after a similar incident at Attica Correctional Facility, according to the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association.

The union said an inmate at Attica Correction Facility is facing criminal and disciplinary charges after taking a water bucket and throwing an unknown liquid on correction officers who were attempting to deliver his meal.

The Attica incident occurred on April 7 at approximately 4:15 p.m. Two officers were handing out meals to inmates on a unit at the maximum security facility. When they approached inmate Jeramias Santiago’s cell, they attempted to give him his meal tray through a hatch on the cell door.

Santiago pushed the tray back at the officers and became agitated, saying he wasn’t going to eat the meal. As one of the officers attempted to close the cell hatch the inmate grabbed a water bucket inside his cell, and threw an unknown liquid through the cell hatch, hitting both officers, the union reported.

One officer was hit in the face, upper body and legs. The second officer was struck in the arms and face. After getting hit with the liquid, both officers secured the cell hatch and exited the unit.

They were both brought to the prison’s medical facility for treatment. A doctor who examined them determined they had significant exposure. Both officers were then taken to Erie County Medical Center for further treatment and released later that evening, the union reported.

Santiago is serving a 4-year sentence after being convicted in Kings County in 2011 for Assault 2nd and Attempted Assault 2nd.

On April 10 a similar incident occurred at Orleans Correctional Facility, a medium security prison.

At approximately 5:05 p.m. an officer was making his rounds when an inmate, Jeddidia Manning, stopped the officer and stated he was going to flood his cell by stuffing toilet paper into the toilet, the union said in a news release.

The officer ordered the inmate to bring his hands out so he could put restraints on so other officers could go inside the cell and remove the toilet paper. Manning refused.

A sergeant who came to the scene, again ordered the inmate to put his hands out. Manning refused again, the union said.

The sergeant turned away to go and notify a supervisor of the situation. When he did the inmate threw liquid from a small cup through the cell hatch, striking the officer who was attempting to close the cell hatch.

The inmate was not charged with aggravated harassment based on a decision made by the administration at the prison.

The officer remained on duty but was not allowed by administrators to shower for two hours after the incident.

Manning is serving a 2- to 6-year sentence after being convicted in 2014 in Oswego County for Attempted Arson 3rd and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th.

In 2013, lawmakers amended the current law at the time to make it a Class E Felony for throwing toilet water on a correctional officer.

“Correction officers work in adverse and difficult conditions every day. Even when performing routine duties, officers are subjected to conditions that can be, or are, dangerous to their health and safety,” stated Western Region Vice President Mike Dildine. “We are disappointed that the administration at Orleans Correctional Facility did not pursue criminal or disciplinary actions against the inmate. We will continue to monitor both situations and advocate on behalf of our members for criminal prosecution when it is appropriate.”