Two Officers Also Injured During Assault at Facility
CAPE VINCENT, NY – As NYSCOPBA officials continue to press DOCCS to reinstate the Secure Vendor Program, drugs continue to get into the hands of inmates despite the best efforts of staff.
On Tuesday, March 9, an officer witnessed an inmate unsteady on his feet in the recreation yard. The inmate was brought to the infirmary for evaluation. In the infirmary, the inmate reached into his pant pockets and pulled out an unknown object which he swallowed. Officers frisked the inmate and found two Suboxone strips in his possession. Medical staff determined the inmate was under the influence of drugs.
On Friday, March 19, an officer processing a package mailed to an inmate found 14 pieces of paper that had been sewn into a pair of sweatpants. The paper, which was wrapped in plastic, was opened and had a white powdery substance inside. The substance tested positive for heroin. The drugs were seized as evidence.
The package was mailed from Waterbury, CT.
On Sunday, March 19, an officer observed an inmate acting suspicious and intoxicated. The officer approached the inmate, frisked him and located two orange strips in his pant pocket.
The inmate, who is serving a seven year sentence for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd, was placed in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges.
On Monday, March 22, staff was in a Special Housing Unit to interview an inmate who was there on disciplinary charges. The inmate refused to cooperate with staff. He was ordered by an officer to place his hands behind his back so handcuffs could be applied. The inmate elbowed the officer in the face. A second officer came to assist and was punched in the face before staff administered OC spray to the inmate. The spray had the desired effect and the inmate became complaint.
The two officers sustained minor injuries and were treated by facility medical staff.
“ Despite an excellent job staff does detecting drugs, they still make their ways into the hands of inmates on many occasions. If ever there was a need for DOCCS to implement the Secure Vendor Program in the new year now is the time but our concerns continue to be ignored by the administration.” – said Bryan Hluska , Central Region Vice President.
News Release March 24, 2021