Rikers Island inmate brutally beats female Corrections Officer

A female Corrections officer was brutally beaten by a Rikers Island inmate, leaving her bruised with two black eyes, according to a report by NY Daily News

Ironically, the beating began when the corrections officer Elizabeth Sturdivant was giving the inmate Jessy Blount a citation for beating up another inmate. The criminal complaint filed against the Blount quoted him as a saying “I’m going to forget you are a female and knock you out,”

Says Sturdivant’s rep:

“Again we have somebody beaten by an inmate and our hands are tied,” said Patrick Ferraioulo, president of the Correction Captains Association, which represents Sturdivant. “It’s only going to get worse. People are afraid to defend themselves.”

The Correction Department has changed its use of force policy following multiple high-profile cases of inmate abuse. The new rules require officers to first use pepper spray and avoid hitting inmates in the face.

Photo credit: US Dept. Of Corrections