(WNY News Now) Senator George Borrello calls for immediate safety measures and improved protections for correctional officers in response to a concerning increase in diseases among prison workers that have been connected to drug overdoses by inmates.
In reaction to an increase in illnesses among prison staff associated with drug overdoses among inmates, New York State Senator George Borrello released the following statement:
The Hochul government and DOCCS have neglected the growing problem of illegal drugs and harmful substances entering our state’s prisons for far too long. There is no question that our prison officers and medical staff are put in danger on a daily basis with little to no protection from the state, as evidenced by the current spike in inmate overdoses, staff illnesses, and even the need to revive Narcan.
These courageous men and women are responsible for keeping our jails safe and in order, but they are the ones who are being admitted to the hospital after inadvertently coming into touch with deadly drugs. There should be serious concerns raised by the fact that hazmat teams and law enforcement officers are unable to identify these compounds. Instead, as police suffer, the administration keeps dragging its feet.
Real action is needed now. It should be regular operating procedure for all visitors entering our prisons to be screened using body scanners. But even though the technology was approved in the state budget for 2023, it isn’t. Executive orders should be issued to halt contact visits until better safety procedures and drug detection techniques are implemented.
Governor Hochul must take immediate action to guarantee that employees in our correctional facilities are not compelled to put their lives in danger just for the sake of their jobs if she is genuinely dedicated to safeguarding public servants. I will keep fighting for the protections that these hardworking men and women deserve.