DANNEMORA — A 52-year-old inmate who is serving a 25-year sentence for the beating and stabbing death of an 81-year-old woman, attacked an officer in the mess hall, punching him in the face and nose and injured two other officers who responded to the attack at the maximum-security prison last week.

On Wednesday, July 16, the inmate passed other inmates in the food line in the mess hall. The officer assigned to the mess hall stopped the inmate to counsel him on mess hall procedures. The inmate then struck the officer in the face and nose, knocking him backward. The inmate began to advance on the officer. Two officers responded and the three officers grabbed the inmate in a body hold and forced him to the ground. Once on the floor, the inmate continued to be combative, kicking and struggling with the three officers.

After a brief struggle, the officers were able to force the inmate’s arms behind his back and apply handcuffs. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant. He was brought to his feet and escorted out of the mess hall to the infirmary for evaluation.

The three injured officers were evaluated by medical staff at the facility. The officer who was assaulted, had bleeding from both nostrils and a deviation of the nose. He was transported to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital for further treatment. The two officers who responded to the incident sustained hand, elbow, and knee injuries. They were treated at the facility and remained on duty.

A second inmate, who was in the mess hall at the time of the attack was placed in a Special Housing Unit after he encouraged other inmates to join in the attack.

“With staffing shortages reaching 4700 statewide, attacks like this at Clinton will be more commonplace as inmates know that officers are even more vulnerable to attacks more than ever. NYSCOPBA is committed to working with DOCCS to increase recruitment, retain officers and most importantly get officers back through the collective bargaining process to help reduce the shortages. Until that is achieved, facilities across the state will continue to operate with reduced staffing levels that jeopardize the safety of everyone,” said John Roberts, NYSCOPBA Northern Region Vice President.