5 correctional officers injured in New York after attack by inmates

Several correctional officers at the Auburn Correctional Facility were attacked and injured by inmates earlier this month, the state's correctional officers union said.

Five officers with varying injuries were taken to hospitals in Auburn and Syracuse following the Sept. 4 attack, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association said in a news release Tuesday.

A fight broke out in the playground of the maximum security prison after an inmate punched a sergeant in the back of the head, officials said.

The officer fell forward and hit her head on a metal post of the fence, knocking her unconscious, it was reported. She suffered a concussion and a fractured elbow.

Five officers chased the inmate across the yard and put him in a body hold to detain him, the union said.

Despite repeated requests to back away, officers pepper-sprayed another inmate who approached the unconscious sergeant, officials said.

That inmate was taken to the prison's infirmary, where he headbutted an officer in the head and spat blood on other COs, the union said.

The sergeant was taken to Upstate University Hospital. Four others were transported to Auburn Community Hospital, the union said.

One officer suffered a broken metacarpal bone in his hand. The other three suffered back, hip and shoulder injuries, according to the union.

The inmate who attacked the sergeant was transferred to the Attica Correctional Facility, union officials said.

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