Senator Rolison Demands Action to Address Exposures and Risks in NYS Correctional Facilities
March 27, 2025
New York State Senator Rob Rolison, Ranking Member of the Senate’s Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee, is leading an effort to address the alarming rise in a number of alarming exposure incidents in New York State correctional facilities.
Today, Senator Rolison and colleagues, including committee member, Senator Dean Murray (SD-3), sent a letter to the State Commission of Correction, urging a formal investigation into the prevalence and impact of exposure incidents within Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities. The letter calls for comprehensive data collection on these incidents and an analysis of the substances found that may be directly related to these exposure incidents.
As a result of these incidents, individuals have been transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Found substances that pose a serious risk to correctional officers, civilian employees, incarcerated individuals, and now, National Guard personnel who are serving in state prisons, and a thorough review of incidents in many correctional facilities across New York state.
“Those working in our correctional facilities—officers, civilian staff, and medical personnel—deserve to be protected from dangerous exposure while doing their jobs,” said Senator Rolison. “This letter is a crucial step in finding out what is happening in our correctional facilities. By getting the State Commission of Correction involved, we are taking the necessary steps to examine this issue on a statewide level and push for real solutions.”
In addition to the letter, Senator Rolison recently amended his fentanyl exposure bill, S989-A, to strengthen protections against exposure. The bill, which establishes the offense of aggravated reckless endangerment for individuals who knowingly possess fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives and recklessly expose first responders or correction officers, now includes employees of correctional facilities along with military personnel as protected individuals, including active military personnel who are serving in correctional facilities.
“This amendment ensures we are holding individuals accountable who are recklessly possessing substances that are injuring correction officers, civilian staff, and correction officers,” Senator Rolison added. “By expanding this legislation to include active-duty military personnel, such as National Guard members working in these facilities, we are taking a stronger stance to deter reckless endangerment and protect those who serve our state.”
The full text of S989-A, along with details of the proposed amendment, can be found here, and the letter sent to the State Commission of Correction can be found here.
Senator Rolison remains committed to advancing legislative solutions that prioritize the safety of New York’s correctional staff and first responders.