Violence Erupts in New York Prison Prompting Nationwide Visitations Ban

Violence Erupts in New York Prison Prompting Nationwide Visitations Ban

Security measures across New York state have tightened as the safety of personnel is put at risk following a significant riot at an upstate prison. The unrest forced the cancellation of all visitation activities in dozens of correctional facilities.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision conveyed through a Facebook announcement that “Visitation in all DOCCS facilities is cancelled until further notice.” This decision comes in the wake of renewed concerns regarding safety within these institutions.

Details of the Riot

The latest outbreak of violence unfolded at the Riverview Correctional Facility around midnight Thursday. Reports indicate that dormitories within the facility were under the control of inmates for several hours. The situation escalated to a level where correctional staff expressed feeling “unsafe” in their roles.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that approximately 500 inmates were present in ten dormitories at Riverview during the chaos, while only 15 to 20 staff members were on duty for the overnight shift. The circumstances that led to this pent-up tension remain unclear.

Inmates Seize Control

According to insiders, corrections officers began to hear unsettling sounds, such as glass shattering, which prompted them to evacuate from the dormitory area to a more secure location. Subsequently, they sought emergency assistance, leading to the arrival of at least two teams from Gouverneur and Albany.

The swift response restored the facility back under state control by 8 a.m. on Thursday. Fortunately, no staff members were reported injured during the incident.

A Personal Account from a Veteran Officer

Retired corrections officer John Robla shared his feelings about the unrest, stating, “Last night, with everything that happened during the night, it was very scary. I couldn’t imagine being in their shoes in there. 25 years in corrections, things have changed in corrections.” His perspective sheds light on the growing dangers faced by those working in the correctional system.

A spokesperson for the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association confirmed the incident’s severity, noting, “After midnight, inmates took over several dorms at Riverview after they became unruly, and the officers assigned felt their safety was at risk and exited the dorms.” Eventually, the dormitories were returned to operational control and adequately restaffed.

A Concerning Trend in Correctional Facilities

This incident comes within a week of another lockdown enforced at a different corrections facility due to a similar inmate uprising. On February 12, an outbreak of unrest took place at the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County, where the staff was removed from three dormitories amid chaotic conditions.

Kenny Gold, vice president of the Western Region for the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, reported that three correction officers sustained minor injuries during that disturbing event.

The commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Daniel Martuscello III, had previously issued a memo addressing the chronic staffing shortages affecting the facilities. Recent incidents—including one in June that left nine officers injured—further emphasize ongoing issues within the system.

Response from State Authorities

Amid escalating concerns, New York Governor Kathy Hochul took decisive action, signing an executive order to activate members of the New York National Guard. Their deployment aims to bolster safety and security within correctional facilities as the backdrop of illegal work stoppages by correction officers unfolds.

The executive order also allows for additional overtime compensation for officers and staff actively working to maintain security during this turbulent period. State officials filed an injunction under the Taylor Law, which resulted in a temporary restraining order mandating striking correction officers to cease their actions.

Calls for Resolution

Governor Hochul expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population, and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities.”

To address this illegal work stoppage effectively, she appointed independent mediator Martin Scheinman to commence negotiations to return striking correction officers to their posts. Governor Hochul acknowledged the dedication of many corrections officers who continue to report for duty under challenging circumstances, expressing her gratitude for their service.

A Need for Increased Attention

As New York’s correctional facilities grapple with increasing unrest and employee safety concerns, the recent incidents underscore the pressing need for systemic reform. The alarming frequency of such events raises questions surrounding the overall treatment of both inmates and staff within the state’s correctional system. Whether legislative or operational changes will take shape remains uncertain, but public dialogue about these issues is essential for future improvements.

Fox News Digital reached out to both the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the office of Governor Hochul, but responses were not immediately received. As the situation develops, the priority remains ensuring safety within correctional facilities for staff and inmates alike.