After series of inmate fights, lockdown at Elmira's maximum security prison

A series of recent inmate fights at the Elmira Correctional Facility led to a complete lockdown of the prison.

The New York State Correctional Officers Police Benevolent Association announced Thursday details about the incidents at the maximum security prison. 

On July 25, two officers were injured when an inmate atacked them during a search of his cell for contraband. Officials didn't name the inmate, but said officers broke up seven inmate-on-inmate fights — some involving up to 10 inmates — in the days that followed.

Some inmates were injured as well during the incidents, and officers said they recovered numerous makeshift weapons as they investigated.

Corrections officers reported the following incidents at the prison:

July 25: At 8 p.m., officers entered an inmate's cell as he attempted to flush contraband down the toilet. The inmate punched one officer in the left chest, then two officers grabbed the inmate, who continued to struggle, until they were able to get him into mechanical restraints.

Both officers were injured; one officer was hospitalized for shoulder and back pain. 

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July 26: An officer saw an inmate exit the phone area with a laceration near his left eye that was consistent with a cutting instrument. The inmate told the officer he was cut from behind while he was on the phone, and he was given treatment. No weapon was located. 

July 28: An inmate told an officer he was cut by an unknown inmate while on his way back to the cell block from recreation, but no weapon was found. The inmate was treated for two lacerations to his head. 

July 29: Officers broke up a 10-man fight in the gym recreation yard and several rounds of pepper spray were used to settle the incident. Once inmates were under control, officers found two sharpened makeshift weapons on the ground.

During the search, another brief two-man fight broke out. Once that was contained, a third weapon was seized by an officer after one of the combatants dropped it on the ground. Three inmates sustained lacerations during the altercation.

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July 30: Two inmates got into a fight around 10:15 a.m., during breakfast. After the fight was broken up, one inmate was treated for three lacerations and one puncture wound.  No weapon was located during the investigation.

Later in the day, officials said, officers found synthetic marijuana and suboxone concealed in a bundle of toilet paper during a search of an inmate’s cell. 

July 31:, A four-inmate fight in the laundry corridor took place around 7:50 a.m., and officers said the inmates ignored initial orders to stop. Officers used body holds on the inmates, and after the fight was settled, the officers found a razor blade on the floor.  Three inmates received lacerations during the incident and one officer was hospitalized due to being exposed to blood. 

In the next 20 minutes, two more fights ensued. Just before 8 a.m., four inmates got into a brawl in the cell block. Officers said the recovered two shank-type weapons on the floor and two inmates sustained lacerations. 

Minutes later, six inmates began fighting in the laundry area. Pepper spray was used to stop the fight, officers said, but not before one inmate punched a corrections officer in the face.     

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