Nassau sheriff: 3 officers hurt in scuffle with inmate

Three correction officers were injured in a scuffle with an inmate at the East Meadow jail after a visitor was seen apparently passing him contraband, according to the Nassau County Sheriff.

At about 5 p.m. Friday in one of the jail's visiting areas, a woman was seen passing contraband to a male inmate, according to a news release issued monday by the Nassau County Sheriff Officers Association union.

The inmate was taken to a search area where a balloon filled with an unknown substance fell out of his jail uniform, the union said.

One officer "tried to kick the balloon away from the inmate to retrieve it," and the inmate "shoved the officer, then assaulted him trying to get the balloon back," the union said. "The struggle continued when the inmate tried to swallow the balloon."

Two other officers came to help subdue the inmate, described as more than 6 feet tall and weighing 300 pounds, the union said. He had been incarcerated for his conviction on first-degree armed robbery charges, and will face additional charges after the fight, the union said.

The female visitor was arrested by Nassau police and charged with promoting prison contraband, a misdemeanor, according to acting Nassau Sheriff Michael Sposato. Her name was not released, said union president Mike Adams.

The three officers were taken to Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola and treated for injuries, including a sprained ankle, hyperextended knee, and cuts and bruises. One officer was also treated for respiratory problems, the union said.