Days before an end was announced to the prison strikes at more than 30 facilities across New York state, more violence was reported inside a maximum-security correctional location north of New York City.

Westchester News 12 reported Thursday that four officers were injured after an inmate initially attacked a female officer, striking her several times in the face and body and injuring three other officers who came to her aid.

On March 5, the officer was securing the cell block at Sing Sing Correctional Facility after inmates returned from the mess hall. The officer noticed one inmate loitering and ordered him back into his cell. She began to escort him back when he ran from her to his cell and closed the gate. The officer attempted to apply OC spray, which missed the inmate.

The inmate struck the officer several times in the face, knocking her to the ground. The inmate continued to strike the officer on the ground as additional officers responded.

One of the responding officers grabbed the inmate in a body hold as the inmate grabbed the cell bars and refused to let go. A second officer responded and used force to get the inmate to release his grip from the bars. Still combative, the inmate fought with staff on the ground who attempted to place him in restraints.

A third officer arrived and assisted in applying handcuffs to the inmate. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant and was escorted to the facility medical clinic.

The injured officers were evaluated by medical staff at the facility. The female officer sustained face, jaw, head, and abdomen injuries. One of the responding officers sustained pain and swelling to his fingers and wrist. Both officers were transported to Phelps Hospital and did not return to duty.

The additional two responding officers sustained injuries to their back, elbow, shoulder, and hand. Both were treated at the facility and remained on duty.

The inmate, 32, is serving a 15-year sentence after being convicted in Genessee County for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in 2018. After the attack, he was transported to Shawangunk Correctional Facility.

“Lost in the chaos of the strike was the fact that staff who remained working in prisons continued to be attacked by violent inmates,” said David Luther, NYSCOPBA Southern region vice president. “The unsafe conditions that existed prior to the strike will only continue until there are real solutions put in place to address the record levels of violence that have existed for the past two years. It is not only about protecting officers and civilian staff, but also the inmates who abide by the rules and are still getting attacked by other inmates. Nothing will change unless it is addressed by DOCCS and the state.”