Investigation launched over alleged brutality at Elmira prison

Prosecutors in Schuyler County are looking into a serious incident that happened in 2023 at the Elmira Correctional Facility. A convicted killer from Buffalo, Leonard Robinson, claims several correction officers assaulted him, resulting in broken bones and bruises. Robinson alleges the officers attacked him after he supposedly threw hot liquid at one of them. Robinson, 29, states that on October 3, 2023, officers beat and choked him, even dragging him down stairs. He was later taken to a hospital where doctors found multiple injuries, including fractures and broken teeth. His lawyer, Mark A. Overall, noted that an internal investigation revealed Robinson’s injuries did not match the official reports by prison staff. The Schuyler County District Attorney, Joseph Fazzary, confirmed that his office is examining Robinson's claims. He mentioned that he hasn't yet decided whether to take the case to a grand jury. This investigation comes amid concerns about rising violence in New York's state prisons, where both staff and inmates have faced increasing assaults. Correction officers have faced significant scrutiny, with multiple staff members charged in various incidents of violence. An alarming rise in inmate-on-staff assaults has also been reported, raising questions about safety and accountability in prisons. Recently, correction officers in New York participated in a strike, citing dangerous working conditions and understaffing. Robinson has a lengthy criminal history, including a murder conviction for a 2015 shooting. He is now suing the Department of Corrections and other parties involved, claiming excessive force and negligence. His lawsuit details an altercation involving an inmate throwing hot liquid at him, which resulted in a chaotic response from correction officers. In this case, attorneys for the officers argue that Robinson initiated violence. A recent court ruling upheld disciplinary actions against Robinson for his alleged assault on the officers. The ongoing litigation continues to unfold, with attorneys exchanging arguments in court. The judge has yet to make a decision about the lawsuit.