State police are investigating deaths of three inmates, one at Riverview Correctional Facility, another at Upstate Correctional Facility and a third at Gouverneur Correctional Facility, according to a press release from State Police. All three occurred after a reported assault or physical altercation.
State police say all three deaths remain under an open investigation with charges pending. Two deaths, one at Upstate Correctional Facility, the other at Gouverneur Correctional Facility, have been ruled homicides.
Following the deaths of the three incarcerated individuals, in a statement Assemblyman Matt Simpson called for swift action to repeal the HALT Act. The HALT Act limits solitary confinement to a maximum of 15 days in state prisons and jails.
“These heartbreaking tragedies remind us that while the HALT Act was passed with the noble intention of protecting incarcerated individuals, it has instead created an environment of unchecked violence,” Simpson said. “By severely restricting the most critical tool our COs have to safely remove those who pose immediate danger, we have made our prisons less safe for staff and for the very people the reforms were meant to help.”
According to the New York State Bar Association, the HALT Act was inspired by the United Nations “Nelson Mandela rules,” also referencing the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture, which concludes that solitary confinement of more than 15 days can amount to torture.
Community news stories come from press releases and other notices from organizations, businesses, state agencies and other groups.
Submit your contributions to almanack@adirondackexplorer.org
More by Community News Reports