Attica, N.Y. (WBEN) - The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has confirmed that eight staff members and two inmates at Attica Correctional Facility were taken to the hospital this week after coming into contact with unknown substances in the prison.
WBEN has learned that the most recent incident happened this morning. A nurse was conducting rounds when a smell in the area left him feeling light-headed and nauseous. He was taken to the hospital.
DOCCS reports that the first incident occurred on Sunday morning when staff conducted a pat-down of an inmate. Three guards were sent to the hospital after frisking the inmate, experiencing dizziness and light-headedness, with one of them beginning to vomit.
Another incident took place a few hours later when a member of the National Guard found two inmates lying on the ground. A nurse administered Narcan, and both inmates went in and out of consciousness before being transported to an outside hospital. Both the nurse and a sergeant also had to be taken to the hospital after experiencing nausea and high blood pressure.
Yesterday, another staff member and a nurse were hospitalized after the staff member opened an envelope containing an unknown powder. The employee became ill, and both were sent to the hospital.
State Police, EMTs, and HAZMAT teams were notified.
