6 Officers Injured in Attack By 3 Inmates at Green Haven: Union

STORMVILLE, NY — Six officers were injured at Green Haven Correctional Facility while escorting three inmates at the maximum security prison.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m Tuesday as the inmates were being taken for medication, according to a press release from the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc.

“This was an extremely violent and volatile situation for all of our officers involved,” said Michael Mazzella, Mid-Hudson Region vice president.

“What started out as a medication run to the clinic turned out to be very dangerous for all of our officers when the three inmates attacked and hurt six officers,” he said.

According to the union, one female officer was escorting three inmates from a cell block to receive medication.

One of the inmates, Charlie Scott, was being very loud and disruptive in the hallway, and the officer directed him to calm down. He refused, according to authorities.

Scott continued being loud and disruptive as they walked into the clinic. Again, the officer tried to calm him down but was not successful.

Two other inmates, Dontavious Wiley and Gerald Howard, surrounded the officer.

She ordered them to back away but they refused. She ordered them a second time and again they refused.

The officer used her radio to call for assistance.

A second officer entered the clinic and tried to assist the first officer.

Authorities said Wiley and Howard assumed a threatening stance against both officers.

Without provocation, Howard struck the second officer in the face.

The first officer called for additional help, and a sergeant arrived on the scene.

Wiley charged the female officer and grabbed her. They both fell to the ground.

While on the ground, Wiley struck her in the face, as well as the second officer who had come to her aid.

A third officer who had responded was grabbed by the arm and dragged to the ground by the inmate.

An attempt by a fourth officer to put Wiley in a body hold was unsuccessful. He was able to get the inmate to the floor where he broke free again.

Addtional officers had arrived on the scene and were able to get the inmate to the wall and restrained.

Officer got Howard to the floor and into restraints after a violent struggle.

The union said that once the scene was under control, Scott, who had been convicted in 2007 of first-degree manslaughter and had been sentenced to 25 years, was placed in a special housing unit.

Wiley continued to be combative and disruptive while being escorted by officers to the special housing unit.

He was searched after the incident, and officers said they found a 6-1/2-inch acrylic shank inside a cardboard sheath hidden in the inmate’s underwear.

Wiley was convicted of first-degree manslaughter in 2008. He is serving 25 years.

Howard, who was convicted of second-degree attempted weapons possession in 2016 and is serving two years, was taken to an outside hospital for treatment. He will be placed in a special housing unit when he returns to Green Haven.

The union said all three inmates face internal disciplinary charges.

Two of the officers were taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Medical Center for treatment and did not return to duty.

The four remaining officers were treated by the facility medical staff and remained on duty.

Mazzella said it was lucky that none of the officers, which included three women, were serious injured, adding that it could have easily turned into something worse.

“It is our sincere hope that DOCCS will pursue criminal charges against these inmates, and it serves as a deterrent for future attacks,” he said.

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