Officers, social worker injured after attack at Wende Correctional Facility

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Five officers at Wende Correctional Facility in Alden as well as a social worker were injured when an inmate allegedly attacked and attempted to sexually assault the social worker in an incident earlier this month, according to authorities.

The alleged incident is said to have taken place on May 1. The inmate, 30, allegedly exposed himself to the social worker and then charged at her, grabbed her neck and fell to the floor.

Five officers were able to eventually get the incarcerated person off of the woman and restrain him after a struggle. The social worker suffered head, neck and arm injuries and was taken to Erie County Medical Center after being treated by facility medical staff. Four of the five officers suffered shoulder, foot, elbow and knee injuries. The fifth officer, who was the first on scene, was treated for head, face and rib injuries after he was hit several times and briefly lost consciousness. He was also transported to ECMC for treatment. The inmate was evaluated by staff.

The inmate has since been transferred to Attica Correctional Facility. He is currently serving a 15-year sentence for a burglary in Ulster County in 2014, when he broke into a home to steal guns and set the house on fire. He previously served time for an assault charge in 2012.

Authorities have not yet said if the inmate is facing additional charges in connection to the attack.