Union: Female guard sexually assaulted by Attica inmate

ATTICA, N.Y. (WHEC) — A female guard was sexually assaulted by an inmate at the Attica Correctional Facility according to the correctional officers’ union.

The New York State Correctional Officer & Police Benevolent Association says it happened on Wednesday when the inmates were leaving a COVID testing site at the chapel.

According to the union, an inmate grabbed the officer in the groin area several times, and when other officers tried to stop him, he fought them.

The female guard ended up falling during the scuffle and she was taken to the hospital with a head injury.

The union says she has since been released but has not returned to work. A civilian instructor was also injured during the incident, but was able to be treated by medical staff.

The union says the inmate accused of sexually assaulting the guard is serving a 19-year sentence for robbery.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision sent the following statement:

"The safety and well-being of our staff and incarcerated individuals is our top priority. The Department has zero tolerance for violence within our facilities and anyone engaged in misconduct will be disciplined. If warranted, incidents will be referred for outside prosecution.

"On February 2, at Attica Correctional Facility, following an incident involving an incarcerated individual who became physically aggressive with a correction officer. Several security staff, and civilian staff members quickly assisted the officer, as the incarcerated individual continued to assault the correction officer. The individual was restrained and removed from the area. The officer who was assaulted was taken to a local hospital, treated and released. All other staff were seen by facility medical and remained on duty. This heinous incident is under investigation and the Department is working to press charges against the incarcerated individual."