The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has sent a stark warning to Governor Kathy Hochul, declaring the state’s prisons a “systemic emergency” in a letter. Citing a surge in violence, contraband, assaults on staff, and tragic deaths, the union paints a picture of institutions teetering on the brink.
Specific incidents highlighted include injuries from unknown substances at Mohawk, assaults and disturbances at Clinton, a broken pen attack at Coxsackie, classroom assaults at Lakeview, and an inmate murder at Upstate. The NYSCOPBA argues these events are clear warning signs of an unstable and dangerous system.
In response to the crisis, NYSCOPBA is urging the Governor and state lawmakers to act decisively. Key demands include amending the HALT Act to reduce solitary confinement, strengthening laws against contraband smuggling, and ending the practice of housing two inmates in a single cell. The union emphasizes that the safety of staff and the overall stability of the correctional system now requires immediate attention.