PLATTSBURGH — In the wake of further violence in state prisons, North Country lawmakers are again calling for drastic prison reform.
“It is unacceptable that we continue to have issues with contraband at correctional facilities that put the hardworking men and women behind those walls in danger when we have the technology and the means to increase security,” Assemblyman D. Billy Jones (Chateaugay Lake) said Thursday.
LATEST INCIDENT
Jones was responding after the latest troubling incident in a state prison that occurred Wednesday at Collins Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in Erie County near Buffalo.
That facility remained in lock down Thursday after guards retook control of three dorms following an inmate uprising after a corrections officer seized an illegal cell phone from an inmate.
The inmates took over the three dorms just after midnight Wednesday and held them for several hours until emergency response teams and other officers could retake them, the Albany Times Union reported.
At least one officer was reportedly injured during the scrum, which began when a guard spotted an inmate trying to get rid of contraband.
The Collins Correctional Facility incident comes after two separate incidents in late January at Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone where more than two dozen officers and staff had to be treated for exposure to some kind of chemical.
Jones, a former correction officer himself, is pushing to include language to increase safety at correctional facilities in this year’s State Budget. He is requesting to make it mandatory for all visitors and inmates to have a full body scan instead of allowing them to opt for a traditional scan with a wand.
He is also requesting an update to the legal mail policy including the utilization of scanning technology.
“The recent incident at Upstate Correctional where numerous correctional officers received medical treatment due to an exposure is just a drop in the bucket and the state needs to do more,” Jones said.
“That is why I am pushing to include language in the final State Budget to make full body scans mandatory for all visitors and inmates, as well as update the legal mail policy. No one should be able to opt out of the full body scan, and we need to utilize the existing scanning technology for mail to ensure that those who put their lives on the line every day when they go to work at these facilities are safe.”
Chris Summers, president of New York State Correction Officers Police Benevolent Association, the union representing officers, said they appreciate Jones’s advocacy for prison reform.
“We truly appreciate Assemblyman Jones support for our members safety by advocating for new policies and technology that will limit the amount of contraband, particularly dangerous and deadly drugs, from getting into the hands of the inmates,” Summer said.
“As a former corrections officer, Assemblyman Jones fully understands the current climate our members face and has worked tirelessly in the past to support our push for improved safety measures.”
The State Legislature is currently working on their One-House Budget proposals to be released next month. The Governor’s 30-day amendments for the Executive Budget Proposal are expected to be released this week.
STEC RESPONDS
State Sen. Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) also called for something to be done to curb the violence and contraband in prisons.
“Between the recent chemical exposure at Upstate Correctional Facility and today’s events at Collins, it’s more clear than ever that state policies like HALT (Humane Alternative to Longterm Incarceration) have made these sites unsafe for correction officers, civilian staff and incarcerated individuals,” Stec said Wednesday.
“The dangerous behavior of disruptive incarcerates will only worsen. As Acting Commissioner (Daniel) Martuscello recently announced that 70 percent staffing inside a facility will equal ‘fully staffed’ as far as DOCCS is concerned.”
Stec said correction officers are expected to make do with less.
“Less staffing and less resources at their disposal to protect themselves and others. Shame on Democrat leaders for actively making correctional facilities unsafe. Their continued virtue signaling and social justice crusading has put the health and well-being of officers and civilian staff at risk,” he said.
“Instead of continuing to push a radical political agenda, they should take a good look at what it’s like inside these facilities and the impact their policies are having on hardworking, dedicated officers and staff.”
SIMPSON SOUNDS OFF
Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R-Lake George) also blasted the state’s approach to prisons.
“This was an unfortunate and predictable outcome,” Simpson said.
“The HALT Act, which severely limits the ability of correctional officers to discipline violent inmates, is directly putting both officers and inmates at risk. Combine that with facility closures and a 30% reduction in staffing, and it’s clear these policies are endangering the safety of our correctional staff.”
Simpson said officers are working double and even triple shifts.
“Yet, Albany continues to push idealistic, pro-criminal legislation,” he said.
“It’s time for an immediate repeal of the HALT Act and a real focus on supporting our brave men and women in uniform. This should have never been allowed to happen.”