The Peru Gazette

February 13, 2025 – Assemblyman Jones’s statement on Safety Procedures at Correctional Facilities in State Budget

            Due to an increase in incidents of exposure to contraband at correctional facilities including the recent incident at Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) is pushing to include language to increase safety at correctional facilities in this year’s State Budget. Jones 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.

            “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,” said Jones. “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. 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.”

“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.  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.” – stated Chris Summers, NYSCOPBA President.

            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.