Two officers at the Collins Correctional Facility are shown in these pictures provided by the state Corrections Officers & Police Benevolent Association.

COLLINS – On the day a memo was sent by a high-ranking state official aimed at reducing the wave of violence at correctional facilities in recent months, six officers were injured — including two seriously — in an attack by an inmate at the Collins location.

New York State Corrections Officers & Police Benevolent Association reported this week a 35-year-old inmate serving a nine-year sentence for assault and attempted robbery, violently attacked staff Friday morning. According to the union release, an officer who was observing inmates leaving the mess hall after breakfast asked one inmate to produce his state issue ID. The inmate refused and suddenly punched the officer in the left side of the face. A second officer grabbed the inmate in a body hold. The inmate violently resisted and spun out of the body hold and punched the second officer in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Two additional officers responded and grabbed the inmate in a body hold and forced him to the ground. Still combative, pepper spray was administered to the inmate with no effect. Staff were eventually able to force the inmate’s arms behind his back and apply handcuffs. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant. The inmate was escorted from the area. During the escort, he kicked one officer in the leg.

Body holds were again applied and he was forced to the ground, where he continued to kick at officers. Once under control, the inmate was escorted off the unit and transferred to Attica Correctional Facility.

That individudal, the union said, was convicted in Kings County in 2017 for first-degree assault, first-degree attempted robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

“Initially, this was just another routine day for officers at the facility. But, as we have learned, there is nothing routine anymore in our prisons. In an instant events can turn violent as we learned again last Friday,” said Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region vice president. “A simple request from an officer for an inmate to produce his identification turned so violent that six officers were injured, four officers, who have yet to return to work, needing additional treatment in outside hospitals and urgent cares. I don’t believe anyone would categorize a concussion, fractured cheekbone or losing hearing in one ear as minor injuries. Even after the inmate was transferred to Attica Correctional Facility he remained violent, attacked and sent another officer to the hospital at that facility.”

The first officer assaulted sustained pain and swelling to his jaw, back and hand. He had hearing loss in his left ear. He was transported to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital for treatment. He did not return to duty.

The second officer who was assaulted and knocked to the ground sustained a broken cheekbone, concussion, fracture bone in his hand, knee, forearm, back and neck injuries. He also had a tooth knocked out. The officer was transported to Erie County Medical Center for treatment and he was kept for observation. The officer has not returned to work and remains in the hospital from his injuries.

Four others had injuries that included a knee, forehead abrasions, shoulder, hand, back and foot pain. One of the officers was treated at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and a second officer was treated at a local urgent care.

In response to the incident, a state spokeswoman from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said the safety and well-being of staff and incarcerated individuals is a top priority. “The Department has zero tolerance for violence within our facilities and anyone engaged in misconduct will be disciplined, and if warranted, incidents will be referred for outside prosecution,” she said.

She then referenced comments made by Acting Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, who assumed operational oversight of the Department on the day of the attack, in a memo to staff: “I will be steadfast in my commitment to reduce violence within our institutions for both staff and the incarcerated population. This can only be achieved with everyone working together toward this goal and leveraging every tool that we have at our disposal. This will include the continued work of the Prison Violence Task Force, input, and feedback from interested stakeholders, and meaningful engagement of the incarcerated population.

“We know that good security procedures are the key to safe facilities, followed by positive interaction and engagement of the population in meaningful ways. The expansion of vibrant programs that recognize the importance of redemption, family, and respect, for not only themselves, but others, will assist us in our work.”

More than a dozen officers were injured at Collins Correctional Facility between May 1 and 12. In April, four separate incidents involving inmates with drugs led to minor injuries for a sergeant and seven officers at the location.

“These men are husbands, fathers, members of the community-not punching bags for inmates who know that certain members of the legislature care more about them than the employees who go to work every day hoping they will make it home to their families. This officer has yet to leave the hospital, does someone have to get killed before we see change?” Gold said. “The sad reality is, this inmate, who has a history of disciplinary infractions since being incarcerated, is eligible for parole next year. Unless he is prosecuted for this violent attack on staff, the parole board needs to seriously question his ability to be productive individual in society. If not, more than likely he will hurt someone again, as he has already proven.”