Statement from Senator Stec on Recent Incidents at Upstate Correctional Facility

          “I’m extremely concerned about the apparent synthetic drug exposure at Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone that’s caused severe illness to nearly two dozen correction officers and civilian staff. These men and women perform a thankless job, under tremendously difficult circumstances. Given the challenges these men and women face, there is absolutely no reason that they should also have to perform their job under the specter of an unknown illegal drug exposure and overdose.

 

            “We must know how inmates are smuggling in contraband drugs and put a stop to it. It puts the lives of correction officers, civilian staff and other inmates at risk. For too long under one party rule of state government, the governor and Democrat leaders have neglected correctional facilities and made understaffing and unsafe working conditions the norm. An investigation should only be the beginning. There must be a culture change, starting with the governor’s office, that ensures these types of awful events no longer occur.

 

            “This Thursday, I will be at Upstate Correctional Facility to meet with staff and those impacted by these two incidents. As a sponsor of legislation to repeal HALT and a proud supporter of our correction officers, I’ll keep working to provide our COs and civilian staff with the resources and support they need to protect themselves and others.”