FALLSBURG — Five officers needed to be treated at a local hospital after an inmate attacked them during a routine pat frisk for contraband at the maximum security correctional facility last week.

On Monday, January 15, an inmate was walking back to his cell block when an officer ordered him to submit to a pat frisk for contraband. He was given orders to place his hands on the wall which he refused. The inmate turned around and took an aggressive stance against the officer.  The inmate proceeded to walk away from the officer and refused to stop when given several orders. A second officer approached the inmate and administered OC spray to the inmate which had no effect. A second round of OC spray was administered with no effect again.  The inmate ran towards his cell block and was grabbed by staff in a body hold.  A response was called when the inmate struck the officer several times in the back while he attempted to maintain the body hold.  When staff arrived, they collectively forced the inmate to the ground where he remained combative.  He refused orders to place his hands behind his back. A third round of OC spray was used with no effect.  As the inmate continued to fight on the ground with officers, additional staff assisted in forcing his arms behind his back and handcuffs were applied. Once in handcuffs, all force ceased and the inmate was brought to his feet and placed against the wall.  

While against the wall, the inmate attempted to spit at staff.  A spit net was applied and the inmate was escorted to the infirmary for evaluation.  

The inmate, 23, was transferred to Wende Correctional Facility after being evaluated in the infirmary. He is currently serving a one to four year sentence after being convicted in Albany County for Burglary 3rd in 2021. 

Five officers were injured in the incident. They were treated by facility medical staff and transported to Garnett Health Medical Center for treatment of ankle, shoulder, eye, elbow, hand and shoulder injuries.  After being released from the medical center, the officers returned to duty. 

“Almost one full month into the new year, and the cycle of violence continues. After a record setting year for violence in 2023, the new year appears to be following the same trend. It shouldn’t be shocking that anything would change since the State Legislature made no attempt to address the on-going violence inside the prisons.  They were elected to represent the people of New York and protect their best interests, yet they clearly do not have the best interests of the officers and the civilian staff who work inside the prisons nor the inmates who abide by the rules while they are incarcerated. They can ignore the problem, but it won’t go away and burying their head in the sand is not going to change reality. Their progressive criminal justice policies have created this violence, and they have a responsibility to all New Yorkers to fix it!”- stated Joe Horacek, Mid-Hudson Region Vice President.