Inmates takeover another New York prison, all visits canceled day after Gov. Hochul deploys National Guard

Tensions have escalated across New York State’s corrections system, with visitations suspended indefinitely in all Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities following a recent riot at the Riverview Correctional Facility. The disturbance, which occurred around midnight on Thursday, saw inmates gain control of several dormitories, forcing correctional officers to withdraw from their posts due to safety concerns. The incident has highlighted growing concerns about personnel safety and the broader challenges facing the state’s prison system.

The Riverview Correctional Facility, located upstate, was thrown into chaos as inmates took control of multiple dorms, leaving staff feeling unsafe. According to reports from WWNY, correctional officers vacated their positions, leaving the dormitories unsupervised for several hours. The situation grew dire enough that staff retreated to the prison’s administrative area, where they called for assistance. Reinforcements arrived from Gouverneur and Albany, and by 8 a.m. on Thursday, the facility was back under state control. Miraculously, no staff members were injured during the ordeal.

The incident has raised alarms about the deteriorating conditions within New York’s prisons. John Robla, a retired corrections officer with 25 years of experience, expressed his concerns, stating, “Last night, with everything that happened during the night, it was very scary. I couldn’t imagine being in their shoes in there. 25 years in corrections, things have changed in corrections.” His comments underscore the growing sense of unease among both active and retired personnel about the safety and stability of the system.

The Riverview riot is not an isolated incident. Just a week earlier, the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County was placed on lockdown after inmates took over three dorms, resulting in three correction officers sustaining minor injuries. These events have occurred against a backdrop of staffing shortages and heightened tensions within the corrections system. In a memo issued earlier in the week, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III announced permanent staffing changes aimed at addressing “chronic shortages,” a move that reflects the systemic challenges facing the department.

In response to the growing instability, Governor Kathy Hochul has taken decisive action. On Wednesday, she signed an executive order activating the New York National Guard to assist in maintaining safety and security at correctional facilities. The measure also provides additional overtime compensation for correction officers and other staff who continue to report for duty. Additionally, the state has sought legal action to end an illegal work stoppage by some correction officers, securing a temporary restraining order to halt the strike. Hochul emphasized that these actions are necessary to protect the safety of staff, inmates, and surrounding communities, stating, “These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population, and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities.”

The ongoing tensions within New York’s corrections system have sparked calls for dialogue and resolution. Governor Hochul has appointed respected mediator Martin Scheinman to work with striking correction officers, aiming to bring an end to the illegal work stoppage. While the immediate focus is on restoring order and ensuring safety, the deeper issues driving these disturbances—such as staffing shortages, safety concerns, and strained labor relations—will likely require long-term solutions. For now, the state remains on high alert, with the National Guard and other measures in place to maintain stability in its correctional facilities.