The five-point correctional facility in Romulus has seen an increase in violent incidents over the past two and a half weeks, with nine officers injured in seven separate altercations involving inmates, according to a report released Oct. 31. In these incidents, officers faced physical assaults. from the inmates, with one officer suffering a broken nose and several others suffering injuries while trying to contain the disturbance.

The series of events began on September 27 when an inmate assaulted another inmate and later lunged at responding officers. Despite being ordered to stop, the inmate continued his attack, resulting in one officer suffering a chest injury. That initial altercation was followed by several incidents, including an attack on October 2 when an inmate refused orders to return to his cell, punching an officer in the chest.

On Oct. 4, staff had to administer Narcan to resuscitate an unresponsive inmate. After treatment, the inmate became combative and attempted to bite officers before being transported to Cayuga Medical Center for further care. Subsequent incidents occurred in the facility’s dining hall, classrooms and during routine searches, with officers repeatedly injured while responding to fights and attacks. Notably, on October 10, an officer suffered a broken nose after an inmate with a history of violent crime launched an unprovoked attack during a search outside his cell.

Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President, expressed deep concern about the escalation of violence at Five Points. “The number of violent attacks at Five Points is staggering, with no end in sight,” Gold said. He criticized continued understaffing, mandatory overtime and a perceived lack of responsiveness from state leaders, adding: “Our members are suffering because of this… When is enough, enough?”

The incidents at Five Points reflect broader challenges facing New York’s correctional facilities, highlighting the pressure on staff and the increased risks they face on a daily basis.

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