Nearly a dozen correction officers injured in inmate attack at Rikers Island

Eleven correction officers were injured this past week from multiple inmate attacks at Rikers Island Davoeron Complex in New York, the New York Daily News reported.

There were five attacks over the past week by gang members who gave officers broken ribs, concussions and other injuries, according to the New York Daily News, which obtained a copy of an internal incident report.

Thirteen inmates, 11 of whom are gang members of the Bloods, on Tuesday attacked four correction officers, one of whom suffered from a broken hand and ribs after being hit with a fire extinguisher.

Another attack occurred on March 19 with 13 gang members who punched the officers in the face and threw objects at them. There were at least three officers injured, the Daily News reported.

Another incident occurred on Mach 20 involving five inmates with one officer suffering injuries.

A fourth attack occurred on March 22 when a gang member of the Crips punched an officer in the side of the head, causing the officer to then hit his head on a wall. The officer was left with a concussion and five staples in his head.

The last assault on Thursday injured one officer, according to the Daily News.

All of the officers attacked were treated for their injuries.

“The safety of those who work in our facilities is always our first priority,” Correction Department spokesman Peter Thorne told the Daily News. “Any attack is reprehensible and we are pursuing re-arrest of the individuals involved.”

Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association President Benny Boscio Jr. says that ending solitary confinement, which Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and Correction Department Commissioner Cynthia Brann are saying they will do, is contributing to the rise in attacks.

“Assaults on our officers have skyrocketed up by more than 23% over last year and instead of allowing us to separate violent offenders who commit attacks like this, this administration wants to eliminate punitive segregation completely so that assaultive inmates can be emboldened to terrorize our members and non-violent inmates,” Boscio said, according to the Daily News.

The Hill has reached out to the Department of Corrections.