The Peru Gazette

 

Albany, April 21, 2026 –  “The recent spate of chemical exposures and violence inside correctional facilities have magnified a crisis situation that Governor Hochul and DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello have willfully turned a blind eye towards for years. Correction officers, civilian staff and incarcerated individuals are less safe than ever inside correctional facilities because this administration refuses to address the two major drivers of this chaos: HALT and the ease with which contraband can be smuggled into prisons.

            “Intoxicated incarcerates, unknown substances smuggled in by visitors, repeat assaults and homicide inside correctional facilities. These are unacceptable, avoidable tragedies and they’re happening because the governor and DOCCS refuse to listen to COs and ignore the reality of a situation they’ve allowed to worsen.

            “I sponsor multiple bills that we could bring to the floor and pass right now. I’ve sponsored a bill to repeal HALT for four years. Last year, after frequent discussion with COs and prison superintendents, I introduced a package of bills to address contraband by digitizing legal mail, mandating body scanner use for all visitors and enacting secure vendor protocols. These are common sense measures that would make correctional facilities safer for COs, civilian staff and incarcerated individuals alike.

            “Thousands of COs went on strike last year to call for urgent action and safety measures. The governor and DOCCS promised to address this crisis and more than a year later, they still haven’t acted. How many more tragedies must there be before Governor Hochul and Commissioner Martuscello finally keep their promises?”