Inmates Take Over Another NY Prison Following National Guard Deployment
Dozens of corrections facilities across New York state have ceased visits as the safety of personnel grow after another riot erupted inside an upstate prison.
“Visitation in all DOCCS facilities is cancelled until further notice,” the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision wrote in a post on their Facebook page.
Inmates at Riverview Correctional Facility staged a takeover in the early hours of Thursday, prompting immediate concern. Reports reveal that disturbances began around midnight, leading to several dormitories falling under inmate control for hours. Sources indicate that the facility’s security staff felt increasingly unsafe, raising critical questions about the current state of prison safety protocols.
With approximately 500 inmates housed across 10 dormitories, it remains troubling that only 15-20 staff members were present during this critical night shift. Details surrounding the events leading to the riot are murky, but they highlight deep-rooted tensions between inmates and correction officers. Following sounds of glass breaking and escalating noise, staff made the difficult decision to retreat to a visitor area for their safety, effectively abandoning the dorms.
As the disturbance unfolded, correctional officers requested assistance. Emergency response teams from Gouverneur and Albany swiftly mobilized, indicating the seriousness of the situation. Though control was regained by 8 a.m., such unrest raises alarm bells about the fragility of prison environments and the ongoing struggles within the system.
Interestingly, just a week prior, Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County experienced a similar uprising. On February 12, inmates there also seized control of multiple dorms, prompting the removal of staff. Although three correction officers sustained minor injuries, it paints a vivid picture of escalating threats to security personnel.
Further complicating the scenario, Kenny Gold, the vice president of the Western Region for the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), shared insights regarding staffing conditions. The recognized “chronic shortages” of correctional officers cannot be underestimated, as they contribute to the overall turbulence faced in these facilities. Following a sequence of incidents, including injuries sustained by officers trying to assist inmates, the urgency for reform has never been more pronounced.
The situation warranted swift governmental action. On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order activating the New York National Guard to bolster security in correctional settings amid workforce disruptions triggered by striking correction officers. The governor’s directive underscores the imperative to safeguard not only those working in these institutions but also the broader community surrounding them. “These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end,” she emphasized, echoing the sentiments of many concerned about safety.
As tensions brew and unrest pervades the very fabric of correctional life, the narrative invites introspection. It compels one to ponder the systemic issues undeniably at play. Local businesses around these facilities feel the ripple effects; they too are witnesses to a community wrestling with fear and uncertainty. This tumult does not solely concern the institutions but extends to the neighborhoods that people call home. After all, in a tightly woven tapestry, every thread counts.
In every upheaval, stories intertwine—people, events, and places, each with their own pivotal role. The way forward remains uncertain, yet amidst chaos lies a profound opportunity for change. Only by addressing these foundational challenges can New York hope to rebuild and restore a sense of stability in its correctional facilities.
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