N.Y. Correction Officer reportedly slashed by inmates in gang attack
NEW YORK -- A correction officer was slashed repeatedly by a group of Rikers Island inmates in what Corrections Officers Union President Norman Seabrook said was a gang-related related attack, CBS New York reports.
Authorities said the guard was initially taken to a hospital in serious condition and remained in serious but stable condition Thursday night, according to the station.
Around 4:30 p.m., Officer Raymond Calderon was grabbed from behind, put into a choke hold and thrown to the floor. While on the ground, two other inmates approached Calderon and tried to slash him, sources told the station. The victim was said to have been slashed on the head, wrist and ears, and multiple places on his face, sources said.
According to Seabrook, the officer has received more than 20 stitches. He was allegedly nearly knocked unconscious during the attack and could not call out for help because his airways were restricted.
The attack occurred after one inmate asked Calderon to open his cell -- something the officer had to do manually, since the cell doors are not electronic, the New York station reported. At least one of the suspects has been identified.
Calderon has been on the job as an officer for three years. He works in a division that handles young adults, 18 to 21-years-old, according to the station.
Seabrook blamed a system that does not punish attacks on officers strongly enough.
"You can do whatever you want to do to a corrections officer and not worry about repercussion of any type," Seabrook said.
Seabrook expressed concern about new "use of force" guidelines that he said the union was not consulted on.
"I'm thankful that the correction officer is alive," Seabrook said. "It's unfortunate that I do believe, as the president of this organization, that there will be a correction officer killed at the hands of an inmate - because there is no penalty to what they do."
The City's Department of Corrections issued a statement saying there is zero tolerance for assaults on staff and that it is seeking the arrest of any inmate involved in the incident.