A correctional officers union is demanding urgent action following a surge in chemical exposure incidents affecting staff across New York’s prison system.
The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association sounded the alarm Tuesday, citing a wave of exposures to dangerous, unidentified substances at facilities including Clinton Correctional in Dannemora.
“This is not just a Clinton issue, this is a systemwide crisis,” said Northern Region Vice President John Roberts. “The safety of our members continues to be compromised by exposure to unknown chemicals and drugs, and the broader impact is being felt by the communities we serve.”
According to the union, correctional staff—Officers, Sergeants, and others—are being put in harm’s way as incidents spread across multiple facilities. These exposures not only pose direct health risks but also strain local emergency services. At Clinton Correctional Facility, the frequency of ambulance calls has reportedly left surrounding residents underserved during other medical emergencies.
NYSCOPBA acknowledged some improvements made by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) after a recent strike, including legal mail scanners and tougher body scanner policies. But the union said those changes have fallen short of stopping the flow of drugs and contraband that threaten prison staff, inmates, and nearby communities.
In response, the union is calling for a statewide, transparent investigation into the source and nature of the exposures, as well as immediate upgrades to screening, detection, and emergency response protocols.
“The current conditions are unsustainable,” NYSCOPBA stated, pledging to continue its advocacy until real, lasting safety reforms are enacted.
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