Correctional Association of New York Releases Report from Monitoring at Elmira Correctional Facility
Monitoring Visit to Elmira CF, State Reception Prison for New York City, Followed Report of Six Deaths by Suicide at Prison in 2021
The Correctional Association of New York (CANY), the independent oversight organization for the state’s prisons, has released a Post-Visit Briefing report from a monitoring visit to Elmira Correctional Facility in April 2022, which followed the receipt of data showing the prison had more deaths by suicide than at any other prison in the state. In 2022, CANY released reports on monitoring at Clinton, Downstate, Bedford Hills, Great Meadow, Sing Sing, and Bare Hill Correctional Facilities.
CANY’s monitoring at Elmira identified deteriorating material and environmental conditions of the prison, a need for adequate heating and cooling to mitigate exposure to extreme temperatures, aging infrastructure affecting quality of water; limited access to phones and tablets; a lack of stationary surveillance cameras; inadequate responses to requests for medical and dental healthcare; and issues with the quality and accessibility of mental healthcare.
As a result of its monitoring visit, CANY recommended that DOCCS and OMH release complete findings and recommendations from their joint Suicide Prevention Working Group, the Department of Health assume oversight of healthcare in state prisons, and DOCCS improve responsiveness to grievances filed by incarcerated people, among other recommendations. In response to the request for information on the Suicide Prevention Working Group, DOCCS provided some information on the Working Group’s exploration of trends related to suicide risk and the corresponding implementation of recommendations from the Committee.
Post-Visit Briefing and Recommendations Report
No.22-07: Monitoring Visit to Elmira Correctional Facility | April 26-27, 2022
