Union reports 2 staff injured by inmate at Orleans Correctional Facility

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association

ALBION – A 22-year-old inmate serving a seven-year sentence for robbery, attacked two officers when they attempted to frisk him for contraband at the medium-security correctional facility last week.

On Feb. 7, the inmate was ordered to put his hands on the wall and submit to a pat frisk. The inmate became argumentative with staff and came off the wall and elbowed an officer in the shoulder.

The inmate was pushed back on the wall by the officer but continued to be combative. The inmate was forced to the floor in a body hold and OC spray was administered with no effect.

A second officer attempted to force the inmate’s arms behind his back. The inmate bit the officer on the hand, breaking the skin on the officer’s pinky.  A third officer responded and assisted in forcing the inmate’s arms behind his back, where handcuffs were applied. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant.

The inmate was brought to his feet and escorted to a Special Housing Unit where he was decontaminated.

Two officers were injured in the incident. Both were treated by facility medical staff. One officer sustained a back injury and remained on duty after treatment. The officer who was bit, sustained a laceration to his pinky, near his knuckle. Medical staff deemed the laceration to be a significant exposure and the officer was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

The inmate was convicted in 2021 in Westchester County for Robbery 1st and Attempted Robbery 1st.

 “Senator Salazar and the legislators that supported taking away consequences for inmates are to blame for the daily attacks on our members like what happened at Orleans,” stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President.

“Their support of bail reform and the HALT Act have already increased violence in our communities and inside our state prisons. They continue to advocate for the inmates, rather than supporting the hard working men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to keep New York communities safe.

“This inmate will get more attention for biting an officer than the everyday convict just doing his/her time. If the safety of the men and woman that work and live in prison is a top priority, how do these policies make sense?

“Anyone working inside the walls and fences know that certain legislators only care about making felons happy, rather than the employees working there. This logic is inexcusable and needs to change, today is biting a finger, tomorrow will be something different, someone is going to die working for the State of New York and certain lawmakers and their convict coddling policies will be the reason!”