Governor Hochul urged to shut down abusive state prison following reports of mistreatment and harsh conditions.
In light of the recent tragedies and ongoing dysfunction within its walls, there is a compelling case for Governor Kathy Hochul to consider the closure of the Marcy Correctional Facility. The facility has become a focal point of severe distress, following a string of incidents that highlight systemic failures in managing inmate safety and staff welfare.
Most recently, the prison witnessed the tragic suicide of Imam Abdallah Hadian, a civilian employee who led religious services there. This distressing event, which took place in the prison’s administration building, was reportedly observed by other staff members, and comes amid broader concerns over the mental well-being of employees within the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). The Public Employee Federation has recorded four suicides among its members in the past two years, underscoring the pressing mental health crisis facing both staff and inmates.
The alarming conditions at Marcy became particularly pronounced following the brutal murder of inmate Robert Brooks in December 2024, an act committed by correctional officers. The incident, which was documented on body-worn cameras, has led to the conviction of two officers involved, but it also exposed a culture of violence that has tainted the facility’s reputation. Prior to this, the Correctional Association of New York conducted oversight visits revealing alarming rates of physical abuse and neglect, prompting calls for deeper investigations that have largely gone unaddressed.
In July of this year, conditions within the Residential Mental Health Unit (RMHU) were found to be particularly dire, with reports of self-harm and unsanitary conditions. The unit has seen at least two inmate deaths by suicide despite the presence of correctional officers. Furthermore, legal representatives for mentally ill inmates have filed lawsuits describing the environment as “horrific” and “inhumane.”
Staff morale at Marcy is reportedly suffering, with numerous employees expressing that their work is adversely affecting their personal lives. Recent reports indicate high vacancy rates among correctional staff; as of the latest data, 92 out of 322 allocated positions were unfilled, alongside numerous officers on leave.
Given the current staffing challenges experienced across New York corrections, a planned closure of Marcy could provide a measure of relief. Nearby Mid-State Correctional Facility faces its own staffing shortages, suggesting that experienced officers from Marcy could be reassigned to improve conditions elsewhere.
Governor Hochul’s administration has the legislative backing to close up to three prisons in the current fiscal year. In 2024, the closure of the Great Meadow Correctional Facility demonstrated a commitment to addressing systemic issues within the state’s correctional landscape. Now is the time to consider the closure of Marcy Correctional Facility, to end the cycle of suffering and provide a path forward for both staff and those incarcerated. The urgent need for reform and facility closure is evident, and it would serve the interests of justice and rehabilitation in New York’s correctional system.
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