New Report: CANY Releases Monitoring Report on Fishkill Correctional Facility
Findings: Deteriorating Facilities, High Temperatures, Staffing Shortages, and Limited Access to Programs
BEACON, NY – The Correctional Association of New York (CANY), designated by law to provide independent oversight of prisons in New York State, released a new report today containing findings from a two-day monitoring visit to Fishkill Correctional Facility, a medium security prison for adult men in Beacon. This visit was carried out in July 2023 as part of CANY’s oversight mandate, pursuant to Correctional Law §146(3).
According to the report, the primary concerns raised on the visit involved deteriorating infrastructure, extreme temperatures, and limited access to healthcare and programmatic activities due to staffing shortages and other factors.
During the visit, CANY representatives engaged in meetings with Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) officials, medical and mental health staff, and incarcerated individuals across various housing units and specialized programs within the facility. A total of 109 interviews were conducted with incarcerated individuals, covering general population areas as well as specialized units including the Special Housing Unit (SHU), Residential Rehabilitation Unit (RRU), and units housing individuals in work release programs.
“Our visit to Fishkill Correctional Facility identified multiple areas where improvements are needed to ensure the well-being of incarcerated individuals and working conditions for staff,” said Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of CANY. “We are particularly concerned about the reported delays in medical care, limited access to programs, and the apparent inability of the facility’s aging infrastructure to meet basic needs like refrigeration and proper ventilation.”
Key Observations and Findings:
Healthcare
Incarcerated individuals raised concerns about access to timely medical care, including slow sick call and specialty care processes, medication shortages, and a lack of emergency nurses.
Programming
Overall, incarcerated people reported positively on the quality of programs offered at Fishkill, particularly the college program. However, some expressed concerns about limited program availability.
Commissary
Incarcerated individuals reported feeling rushed when making purchases from the commissary and experiencing harassment from staff. Additionally, the lack of refrigeration or access to ice machines limits the storage of perishable food items.
Material Conditions and Environmental Issues
CANY representatives observed high temperatures throughout the facility and noted concerns about aging infrastructure, including potential asbestos exposure, peeling paint, and electrical issues.
Staff-Incarcerated Individual Interactions
While many incarcerated people expressed appreciation for professional staff interactions, especially for staff providing mental health treatment and support, some reported instances of staff assaults and a need for increased video surveillance.
Grievances
Many incarcerated people did not report filing grievances due to fear of retaliation from staff.
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.