RIKERS ISLAND — Two correctional officers who failed to stop an inmate hopping a fence at the Anna M. Kross Center last week have been suspended, the Department of Correction said.
Naquan Hill, 24, escaped during outdoor recreation Wednesday evening and was recaptured Thursday morning after an hours-long search involving the NYPD and Port Authority Police, authorities said.
Correction Officers' Benevolent Association President Elias Husamudeen said Monday the union will work to defend the suspended officers.
“It’s been a long time since we had an inmate escape our custody, too long to remember," Husamudeen said.
“Even in last week’s incident, it was two Correction officers who caught the escapee and successfully returned him back to our custody. We will provide our two officers with the best representation possible and will vigorously defend them."
Hill has been held on Rikers Island on burglary charges since last December, records show.
Authorities put the island on lockdown while he was missing, causing chaos for visitors trying to leave.
