SEN. FARLEY ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSES MEASURE TO STRENGTHEN PENALTIES FOR HELPING PRISONERS ESCAPE OR COMMIT OTHER CRIMES

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed legislation to significantly increase penalties for those who conspire with prisoners to commit a felony and/or later hinder the prosecution. Bill S5947 would help prevent a repeat of the cooperation provided by prison employees to two Clinton Correctional Facility inmates who escaped approximately one year ago this week.

On June 6, 2015, David Sweat and Richard Matt - two convicted murders serving a life sentence and 25 years to life, respectively - received outside assistance in their escape from the Clinton Correctional Facility. As a result, more than 800 members of federal, state, and local law enforcement spent weeks actively engaged in an intense manhunt for the two escapees.

This bill would strengthen the penalties for anyone who commits conspiracy with a prisoner to escape or commit other felonies, as well as for hindering prosecution when/if an escape or other felony does take place. The charges would increase from misdemeanors up to Class B felonies depending on the type of conspiracy or hindering prosecution that takes place.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.