AUBURN After five days marked by an attack on a corrections officer, the Auburn prison returned to a sense of relative safety Thursday as prisoners remained in their cells and officers continued their sweep for weapons and contraband.

During a five-day span, Dec. 13 through Wednesday, 10 corrections officers were attacked by inmates. Several were kicked, punched and bitten, with some requiring treatment for broken bones and cuts.

Department of Correctional Services spokesman James Flateau said that by this morning, two thirds of the housing units will have been frisked. The remainder of the facility is expected to be cleared by the end of the weekend, he said.

Flateau said inmates suspected of wrongdoing are often separated from other inmates as an investigation is launched.

We may put a suspect into the disciplinary housing unit while we investigate because we have reason to believe, based upon the investigation to date, that this is the perpetrator, he said. We don't just grab any inmate without an investigation and place charges against him or press disciplinary charges or put him in a disciplinary housing unit without an investigation. That would be illegal, would not stand up in court, and we don't do that.

He also noted that contrary to some recent union official claims, the head of the Department of Correctional Services is responsible for the well being of prison employees.

Commissioner Gourd is responsible for the health and safety of every employee in the prisons, he said, those who are members of NYSCOPBA as well as the 10,000 civilians who work in our facilities.

He said the New York State Corrections Officers and Police Benevolent Association President Richard Harcrow, as union president, has a role in negotiating a contract and seeing that the terms of the contract are carried out. He has absolutely no responsibility for the welfare of employees in any prison in the state. Commissioner Gourd carries that responsibility.

To reach Staff Writer Joey West, call 253-5311, ext. 239