STATE CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER ATTACKED BY INMATE WHILE BREAKING UP ALTERCATION TRENTON (8/8/23)-- A routine shift quickly took a turn for the worse Tuesday morning when one State Correctional Police Officer suffered a harsh assault at the hands of an inmate. While making her normal rounds, the officer came upon two inmates fighting one another outside the public area of the facility. The officer immediately called a distress signal over the radio and proceeded to separate the fighting inmates. Before assistance could arrive to the scene, however, the inmates broke free from their custody and reengaged not only with each other, but also with the officer. While attempting to separate the inmates once more, one inmate jumped on her back, bringing them both to the ground. The officer took a hard fall onto her left side, injuring her neck, shoulder, arm, and left hand. Several orders were given to stop, but to no avail. Reinforcement staff arrived at the scene shortly after and was able to detain the inmate as she continued to knee the lying officer in the back. The officer suffered a large contusion on her left hand, which instantly swelled and left her unable to bend her hand. The inmates were escorted from the scene and charged for the attack Legislation has been introduced in the Senate and Assembly to combat such crimes. Senate Bill S3093 and its Assembly counterpart A4697 would upgrade certain penalties for assaulting a law enforcement officer and requires an offender to be tested for communicable diseases in certain instances. "Another gruesome attack from an inmate on an officer just trying to keep the peace," said William Sullivan, President of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 105. "We wish our officer a speedy recovery and implore the New Jersey Legislature to swiftly pass this initiative."