By Brendan J. Lyons
Times Union
COXSACKIE, N.Y. — Five correction officers have been placed on administrative leave at a state prison in Greene County amid an internal investigation into allegations that they encouraged and forced fights among inmates in a high-security housing unit.
The officers, including a sergeant, work at Greene Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison that houses male inmates age 16 and older. The prison opened in 1984 and holds 1,592 inmates, including 171 inmates in the maximum-security housing unit.
The investigation is being handled by the inspector general’s office for the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The officers were placed on leave two weeks ago.
“I can confirm for you that the individuals involved in the allegations have been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” Hook said.
A person briefed on the matter, but not authorized to comment publicly, said the officers are alleged to have encouraged the fights in a special housing unit, known as “S-200.” The allegations are that the officers in some instances opened the cell doors of inmates who were then attacked by other inmates, according to the person familiar with the investigation.
That person, and also an investigator familiar with the allegations but not involved in the case, said inmates have also alleged that officers placed plastic bags over the heads of some inmates to intimidate them against filing complaints or reporting the fights.
Hook said the Greene Correctional Facility has one of the lowest rates of violence statewide for prisons similar in size and security level. There were just nine “on-record assault complaints” from April 2013 through March, “which is lower than any other facility its size,” Hook added.
It’s unclear how many incidents took place or whether the alleged assaults in the special housing unit were reported.
Two years ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced DOCCS had opened a state Department of Motor Vehicle call center at the Greene County prison. The center was touted by state officials as a program that would save the state millions of dollars while also giving inmates an opportunity “to develop valuable and marketable skills in a real work environment.” The program was designed to employ up to 45 inmates who answer general questions about issues such as office hours, locations of motor vehicle officers and emissions programs.
In a statement issued Thursday by the officers’ union, the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the organization said “it would be inappropriate at this time to comment on an on-going internal matter.”
“Our members play a critical role in keeping communities safe throughout New York amid an ever increasing violent prison environment,” the statement continued. “The overwhelming majority of members conduct themselves with the utmost integrity and professionalism. We have no reason that this is not the case in this instance. We will continue to monitor the investigation as it moves forward.”
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