Inmate attacks, stabs officer at Clinton Correctional

DANNEMORA | A correctional officer was stabbed in the shoulder and face with a makeshift weapon at Clinton Correctional Facility during a violent attack on several officers last Sunday. According to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, two other officers were also injured by the convicted murderer and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Union officials said on April 19, an officer observed the inmate with his hands inside his pants pocket and ordered him to remove his hands. Instead, the inmate lunged at the officer, stabbing him in the shoulder and face. As two officers responded, the inmate hit one in the face several times before kicking the cut and bloodied officer in the chest. As additional officers responded, the inmate reportedly punched another in the face before he was taken to the ground. In an ensuing struggle, the inmate then put one officer in a chokehold and refused to release his grip. Officers were ultimately able to force the man into handcuffs and subdue the violence. Staff later recovered a plastic icepick-type weapon used in the initial stabbing. The three injured officers were treated at the facility and transported to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital for additional care. The 38-year-old inmate is serving 46 years to life sentence after being convicted of murder, burglary and weapons charges relating to a bus-stop shooting in Rochester in 2002. Following the assault, NYSCOPBA Northern Region Vice President John Roberts said "This was a vicious attack at the hands of an inmate who clearly has no regard for human life. Thankfully, the officer who was stabbed, only sustained minor lacerations, but it could have been much worse without the assistance of his fellow officers. Last week we applauded the Clinton County District Attorney's Office for prosecuting an inmate who attacked staff, adding onto the inmate's sentence and sending a message that violence against staff will not be tolerated in Clinton County." "Unfortunately in this instance, with the inmate serving a life sentence, pursuing criminal charges in this attack unfortunately might not have as much impact. It is clearly the reason why the current disciplinary system in place as a result of the HALT Act provides no safety for staff. Will it take the murder of an officer at the hands of an inmate for the legislature to wake up and realize that the current system is an utter failure and to amend the law to protect the brave men and women who work in our correctional facilities?"

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Inmate attacks, stabs officer at Clinton Correctional

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