Officer Stabbed in Auburn Prison Attack

Five correction officers injured after inmate assault at Auburn Correctional Facility

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:06am

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Five correction officers were injured after an inmate attacked staff inside Auburn Correctional Facility earlier this month. The 49-year-old inmate punched one officer and then used a sharpened piece of metal to stab another officer in the arm and back before being restrained by other officers.

Why it matters

The assault highlights ongoing safety concerns in New York state prisons and has renewed calls for changes to the state's HALT Act, which regulates the use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities.

The details

According to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the incident happened on March 2 during evening movement for dinner. The inmate punched an officer who was monitoring inmate movement after being released from his cell. The inmate then used a sharpened piece of metal with a taped handle to stab another officer once in the upper left arm and twice in the upper back. After the attack, the inmate ran down the cell block before lying on the floor when officers initiated an emergency response. Four officers suffered injuries to the knee, shoulder, hand and thumb but remained on duty. The officer who was stabbed was taken to Auburn Community Hospital with puncture wounds to the arm and back, injured ribs and a swollen jaw.

  • The incident happened on March 2, 2026 during evening movement for dinner.

The players

Auburn Correctional Facility

A state prison located in Auburn, New York.

New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association

The union representing correction officers in New York state.

The inmate

A 49-year-old inmate convicted in Westchester County in 2013 of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is serving a sentence of 20 years to life.

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What they’re saying

“The assault highlights ongoing safety concerns in state prisons and has renewed calls for changes to New York's HALT Act, which regulates the use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities.”

— Union officials

What’s next

The inmate was taken to the prison infirmary for medical evaluation and is scheduled to be transferred to Five Points Correctional Facility.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for continued efforts to address safety and security issues in New York's prison system, including potential reforms to policies like the HALT Act that govern the use of solitary confinement.