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Correctional officers union reports two violent incidents at Greene Correctional
Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media several correctional officers were injured in two separate incidents at Greene Correctional Facility, according to a statement from the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association. In the first incident, a 54-year-old man approached a female officer in one of the housing areas, according to the union. The man was highly agitated and yelling. When the officer ordered him to return to his cell, he complied, but once inside, he continued yelling, which resulted in three correctional officers attempting to remove him from the housing area. While he was being removed, the man allegedly struck the female officer once in the chest, according to the union. The man was eventually placed in a Special Housing Unit and disciplinary charges are pending. The female officer was treated by medical staff at the facility and then taken to a local urgent care facility for further treatment. Three other officers suffered injuries during the incident and were treated by medical staff on-site. A second incident took place on May 1, when an officer, conducting routine rounds inside a bathroom at the facility, saw a man standing inside one of the stalls, according to the union. He failed to respond when the officer asked what he was doing. When the officer approached him, the man advanced so the officer grabbed him in a body hold and forced him to the bathroom floor. While on the floor, the man reached toward his pants pocket. Searching the man’s pocket, the officer found a makeshift weapon. The man was later placed in a Special Housing Unit. The officer sustained injuries to his shoulder, ankle and hand. He was treated on-site, but remained on duty. A DOCCS spokesperson said the department has zero-tolerance for violent acts in its facilities. Greene Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.