COLLINS, N.Y. — An official with the corrections officers union says two officers and a sergeant from Collins Correctional Facility were taken to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville for treatment on Tuesday, after they suffered various symptoms following a struggle with an inmate.
The union says they were exposed to an unknown substance.
Earlier this month at Collins Collins Correctional Facility, 11 officers at Collins Correctional Facility and one nurse were hospitalized following life-saving efforts after an inmate attempted suicide following a HAZMAT incident.
Then, days later, six staff members from the Wyoming Correctional Facility had to be transported to a hospital after a substance was found on an inmate.
New York State Police told 2 On Your Side that no toxic substances were found at Collins in the most recent incident, but according to the union, a prison official says preliminary testing indicated fentanyl exposure.
Kenny Gold, the Western Region Vice President for NYSCOPBA — the union that represents correctional officers — said what's happened recently is unacceptable.
"Already 20 of our members in the last 10 days, in two facilities, have been to outside hospitals," Gold said. "That's before we talk about the countless mandatory overtime hours, time and time again."
Andrew Molitor, the assistant district attorney of Chautauqua County, says more needs to be done. He said action is needed to create safer working conditions for the staff at prisons.
"The recent incidents at Collins and Wyoming Correctional Facility has elevated this issue," he said. "It is not a new one at all. Since 2019, crimes have been committed in an increased rate in correctional facilities across New York. Those are our jails and prisons."