A watchdog group has released new findings on two New York state prisons — one in Cayuga County and one in the North Country — revealing sharp contrasts in how incarcerated individuals experience life behind bars.
The Correctional Association of New York (CANY) published post-visit reports this week on Cayuga Correctional Facility and Gouverneur Correctional Facility, both medium-security prisons. The results show a mix of progress and persistent concerns, depending on the location.
Abuse reports high at Gouverneur, lower at Cayuga
The most alarming findings came from Gouverneur, where 66% of respondents said they had witnessed or experienced verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by staff — one of the highest rates across facilities recently reviewed by CANY. Racial abuse was also reported by nearly half (47%) of respondents.
By contrast, Cayuga reported lower rates of abuse. Only 28% said they’d seen or experienced racialized abuse, and overall mistreatment by staff was below average compared to other medium-security facilities.
Medical care: A tale of two extremes
Gouverneur scored exceptionally well for medical care, with 94% of incarcerated individuals saying they received adequate treatment — the highest score CANY has seen. Cayuga, meanwhile, scored closer to the average, with 55% reporting adequate care, and some concerns raised about maintenance and response times.
Programs and living conditions vary
In both facilities, access to educational and vocational programs was viewed as important but inconsistent. Gouverneur had long waitlists. Cayuga reported more options, with leadership working to expand college, theater, and computer programs.
Cayuga, however, faced more maintenance issues, including broken showers, washing machines, and mold concerns in some living areas — problems that were far less common at Gouverneur.
Grievance filing and retaliation fears
At Gouverneur, only 25% of incarcerated individuals said they filed grievances, with many fearing retaliation. Cayuga had a higher rate at 36%, suggesting more trust in the process, even amid other frustrations.
Rehabilitation unit reports contrast sharply
Both prisons have Residential Rehabilitation Units (RRUs) for people with specific needs. At Gouverneur, CANY found limited access to programs and reported hostility from staff. At Cayuga, the opposite was true: the unit was described as engaged, responsive, and positive.
A call for consistent standards
“These two facilities show just how much the experience of incarceration can vary across the state,” said Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of CANY. “We urge the Department of Corrections to use our findings to replicate what works and fix what doesn’t — so that all incarcerated New Yorkers are treated with dignity and fairness.”
You can read the full reports at:
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