The recent death of 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi following a reported use of force incident at Mid-State Correctional Facility has sparked renewed calls for systemic change in New York’s prison system. The Correctional Association of New York (CANY) condemned the death, which marks the seventh such fatality during an unauthorized strike by correctional officers.
Jennifer Scaife, executive director of CANY, urged the state government to act immediately, calling for increased independent oversight, employee accountability, and a reduction in the incarcerated population.
CANY had previously raised alarms about operational failures at Mid-State Correctional Facility. On January 27, the watchdog group documented deteriorating conditions, inadequate surveillance, and widespread issues with accountability. Despite a plan to install up to 1,700 fixed cameras, no progress had been made since CANY’s last visit in 2022. Additionally, correctional officers’ body-worn cameras were often broken or failed to hold a charge for an entire shift.
Incarcerated individuals reported significant disruptions, including the suspension of mandatory programs required for parole eligibility. Many also shared concerns about retaliation for speaking out, alleging instances of violence and abuse by facility staff.
Mid-State houses a significant number of individuals with complex mental health needs, yet the facility appears ill-equipped to handle them, according to CANY. More than half of the 1,246 incarcerated individuals receive mental health services, and 128 are on psychiatric medication. The prison operates specialized crisis and treatment units, yet complaints persist about a lack of medical care and a general breakdown in trust between staff and inmates.
The facility also manages one of the state’s largest populations of individuals convicted of sex offenses and operates four different disciplinary units. Allegations of physical assault by staff have frequently emerged from these units.
Adding to concerns, Mid-State has been grappling with severe staffing shortages, leading to mandatory 24-hour shifts for correctional officers. The facility recently reported four deaths, including two staff members, a suspected suicide, and a suspected overdose.
Statewide, in-custody deaths have surged. CANY data shows a 34% increase in deaths across Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities in 2024, with 143 deaths compared to 107 in 2023. Particularly alarming is the rise in fatalities among incarcerated individuals under 40, which jumped from 17% in 2023 to 30% in 2024.
The death of Nantwi has intensified pressure on state leaders to intervene. CANY insists that without immediate reforms, the crisis within New York’s prison system will only worsen.
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