New Report: CANY Releases Findings from Monitoring Visit to Wende Correctional Facility
ALDEN, NY – The Correctional Association of New York (CANY), designated by law to provide independent oversight of prisons in New York State, today released a new report after conducting a monitoring visit to Wende Correctional Facility, a maximum-security facility for adult men in Western New York. This visit was carried out as part of CANY’s oversight mandate, pursuant to Correctional Law §146(3).
CANY’s monitoring visit took place June 13-14 of 2023. During the visit, CANY representatives held meetings with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Executive Team, the facility health service administrator, a physician, and a nurse in the Regional Medical Unit (RMU). CANY officials also met with staff from the State Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Incarcerated Liaison Committee (ILC), the Incarcerated Grievance Resolution Committee (IGRC), as well as representatives from the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA).
Overall, Wende’s provision of therapeutic program offerings surpassed many other state prisons in New York. Therapeutic programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and reentry preparation for individuals in disciplinary confinement were key highlights. Incarcerated individuals cited better than average access to medical care, dental care, and mental health treatment. Major concerns among those interviewed focused on physical plant conditions such as poor water quality and limited classroom space for programming.
“Our monitoring visit to Wende revealed important examples of best practice in therapeutic programming for people with special needs. We were impressed by the staff’s apparent commitment to creating a positive institutional culture,” said Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of the Correctional Association of New York. “Our primary concerns are related to maintenance of the facility and limitations on space for additional programming.”
CANY conducted visual observations of housing units, the RMU, the package room, academic and vocational classrooms, and the general library. CANY also conducted interviews with 174 incarcerated individuals in various units, including the Diversion Unit, individuals with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold (ICE), Intermediate Care Program (ICP), the Transitional Intermediate Care Program (TrICP), Protective Custody (PC), the Special Housing Unit (SHU), the Special Needs Unit (SNU), the Transitional Special Needs Unit (TriSNU), the Step Down to Community Unit (SDC), and the Transitional Therapeutic Services Unit (TTSU).
The report highlights several initial findings from the visit:
Medical and Mental Healthcare
CANY monitors observed a commitment to providing medical care for people with complex needs in the RMU. CANY also noted positive reports about dental services and the services and programs delivered by OMH.
Programming
Incarcerated people spoke highly of cultural events and the library at the facility. However, there was a need expressed for ESL instruction as well as concerns about idle time and a lack of constructive opportunities due to limitations on classroom space.
Specialized Units
CANY monitors noted the level of programming and positive environment in the Specialized Units, as well as reentry-focused efforts. However, there were issues in the Diversion Unit, including a lack of power outlets.
Packages
Incarcerated people reported confusion and challenges with recent policy changes as well as delays in accessing items from packages.
Phones
Overall, CANY monitors formed a positive impression of access to phones and kiosks at Wende.
Commissary
Incarcerated people reported that commissary items were often out of stock and there was some confusion around a new rotating schedule for commissary visits.
Visits
Some family members reported harassment during visits to Wende, leading to fewer visits or discouragement from visiting altogether.
Material Conditions and Environmental Issues
Some individuals reported concerns about the quality of water in D Block and a lack of adequate temperature controls in housing areas.
Staff-Incarcerated Individual Interactions
CANY monitors observed strong rapport between executive team members and incarcerated individuals. However, some individuals reported recent assaults by staff.
Grievances
There was a lack of confidence in the grievance process among incarcerated people at Wende.
Discipline
There were perceptions of the disciplinary process as unfair and biased.
For more information, including the full report, please visit:
About CANY
CANY, under §146, of New York’s Correction Law, is charged with visiting and examining the state's correctional facilities to identify and report on prison conditions, the treatment of incarcerated individuals, and the administration of policy promulgated by the executive and legislature. Founded in 1844 by concerned citizens of the state and deputized by the state to provide monitoring and oversight of the state’s prisons in 1846, CANY is one of the first organizations in the country prescribed to administer civilian oversight of prisons.
