Nine officers have been injured in two weeks at the Five Points Correctional Facility

ROMULUS, N.Y. — A series of violence at the Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, Seneca County, left nine officers injured, including one with a broken nose.

Prison authorities say the incidents occurred over a two-week period, between September 27 and October 15, and included multiple attacks by inmates on prison staff. This is a growing problem in New York State prisons.

Both assaults on and against inmates exceeded last year’s totals, according to data from New York State corrections officials and the Police Benevolent Association.

Attacks on employees are expected to increase by 24% by the end of this year. Assaults on prisoners are expected to increase by 37%. Staffing levels are falling and prisoner numbers are rising. There are almost 2,000 fewer correctional officers and a prison population of more than 22,000.