Prison employees’ strike over working conditions created an opportunity. Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County, NY, was placed on lockdown after inmates barricaded themselves in dorms. The incident began when contraband cell phones were discovered, leading to a confrontation. Correctional officers’ union criticizes current policies and calls for improved safety measures
Lockdown at Collins Correctional Facility
Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County, New York, was thrust into chaos when inmates barricaded themselves in dorms, prompting a full facility lockdown. The incident began when correctional officers discovered unauthorized items, leading to the recovery of two contraband cell phones. As tensions escalated, Correctional Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Office of Special Investigations were swiftly deployed to manage the situation.
Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III activated emergency protocols, including negotiating teams, which successfully restored order without any inmates being injured. One officer sustained a minor injury but returned to duty. The facility remains on lockdown pending a full security sweep to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates.
“We Warned You” DiPietro Blames HALT Act for Chaos at Collins Correctional Facility
Collins Correctional Facility put on lockdown Wednesday!
Read more here: https://t.co/XzfBkF5E0I#dipietroforyou #backtheblue #correctionsofficers
— Dave DiPietro (@DiPietroForYou) February 12, 2025
Staffing Crisis and Safety Concerns
This incident has cast a glaring spotlight on the pervasive staffing crisis afflicting New York’s prison system. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has been vocal about the dangerous conditions created by understaffing and overworked officers.
“There have been a couple of assaults at Collins in the last couple months. Obviously, it’s indicative of the climate. Statewide inmate staff violence is at record levels for the last three years,” said James Miller, a union representative.
The union reports a shortage of over 2,100 correctional officers and sergeants, with 1,600 officers leaving in the past year alone. Simultaneously, the inmate population has increased by 2,100, exacerbating the strain on an already stretched system.
Just one of a dozen vans we’ve seen loaded with CERT teams of COs from Auburn and other NYS prisons arriving to deal with situation at Collins Correctional @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/GgjB7im1Xv
— Dave McKinley (@DaveMcKinley2) February 12, 2025
Policy Criticisms and Calls for Change
The correctional officers’ union has expressed strong criticism of current policies, including the closure of prisons and regulations limiting disciplinary actions against violent inmates. They argue that these changes prioritize cost-saving measures over staff safety.
The union recently issued a vote of “no confidence” against Commissioner Martuscello, citing concerns over staff safety and the handling of violent incidents. However, Governor Hochul’s office has expressed support for Martuscello’s leadership.
Looking Ahead
As the situation at Collins Correctional Facility continues to develop, state lawmakers are proposing bills to tighten oversight in state prisons. Governor Hochul has pledged measures to improve conditions, including establishing a recruitment unit and increasing starting salaries for correction officers.
The incident at Collins serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing New York’s correctional system. As the debate over prison reform continues, finding a balance between inmate rights and staff safety remains a critical concern for policymakers and correctional administrators alike.
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