Griffo and Buttenschon tour Mohawk Valley correctional facilities

New York State Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joseph Griffo, R-I-C-Rome, and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, recently got a first-hand look at two state-run correctional facilities in the Mohawk Valley.

The lawmakers toured Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy and Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome. They were invited to visit the facilities by the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), and were hosted by the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

While on the tours, Deputy Minority Leader Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon spoke with correctional officers and administrators, saw how the facilities operated and learned more about the issues and concerns that staff in Marcy, Rome and throughout the state face on a daily basis. These included:

· The amount of contraband coming into the facilities and the need to return to a secure vendor program.
· Staffing concerns related to facilities operating with less staff than is adequate.
· An increase in assaults on inmates and officers.
· A need for drug-sniffing dogs and drug-detecting equipment and technology in all state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision facilities.

“The valuable insight and knowledge gained from these visits will help us advocate for corrections officers to make sure that they have the proper resources, training, protections and staffing levels necessary to ensure the safest and most secure facilities,” said Deputy Minority Leader Griffo. “I thank the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association and state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for providing us with the opportunity to see what corrections officers experience on a daily basis and am appreciative of the important work done by the dedicated men and women at correctional facilities throughout New York State.”

“All the issues that were noted need to be addressed to ensure that staff and inmates remain safe,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “This tour was informative, and I will update by colleagues on the concerns and issues that were presented so we can work to resolve them.”

“I would like to commend Deputy Minority Leader Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon for taking the time to tour Mohawk and Mid-State Correctional Facilities and listen to our member’s concerns,” said Scott Carpenter, NYSCOPBA Central Region Vice President.  “It is vitally important for our legislative leaders to get a first-hand look on how a facility operates as well as listen to the concerns of our members regarding their safety, the historic levels of violence and contraband and the need to have disciplinary measures to keep staff safe. The men and woman who work these facilities can provide the most accurate picture of what it is like to wear the uniform of a New York State Correction Officer, and the Deputy Minority Leader and Assemblywoman should be applauded for taking the time to listen to their concerns.”