Marcy, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said an incident over the weekend highlights the need to pass legislation that would restrict drone activity near prisons.
DOCCS said staff at Marcy Correctional Facility detected a drone flying overhead that released a package between dormitory buildings inside the facility’s secure fence around 1 a.m. Saturday. The state police bomb squad inspected the package and determined it was safe to open. Several contraband items were found.
Two eight-inch, double-edged knivesApproximately 530 grams of a green leafy substanceFive full pieces of paper saturated in intoxicating chemicalsOne cellphoneTwo hair clippers with chargers and accessoriesFour bandanas
In a statement, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association President Chris Summers said drones are a “growing threat” to prisons.
The use of drones for illegal activities, such as smuggling contraband into correctional facilities, has become a growing threat to the safety of everyone inside our prisons. As staff members have heightened their vigilance in stopping contraband from entering through inmate visits and packages, drones are increasingly being used to deliver dangerous drugs, weapons, and other illicit items to inmates. This trend poses a serious risk to the safety of both staff and inmates. We fully support the Governor’s proposal to criminalize the use of drones within 500 feet of correctional facilities, and we urge the State Legislature to stand behind this critical initiative.
DOCCS said it “strongly supports” Gov. Kathy Hochul’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which includes a proposal that would “crack down on illegal drone activity and give law enforcement the tools they need to stop these deliveries before they occur.”
The Governor’s proposal would strengthen the State’s ability to address illegal drone activity by:●Prohibiting the use of drones in a nefarious manner and restricting drone activity over sensitive locations, including correctional facilities.●Establishing new criminal offenses for unlawful drone activity.●Expanding the authority of trained law enforcement agencies to detect, intercept, and disable drones that pose a public safety threat, with any mitigation actions reported to the New York State Police.●Directing the State Police to establish a registry known as the New York State Blue List, identifying approved drones and drone mitigation technology that may be purchased by the State.
DOCCS said the drone used in Saturday’s incident was recovered outside the facility. The incident remains under investigation.
“Contraband introduced into correctional facilities fuels violence and puts both staff and the incarcerated population at risk,” DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello said in a statement. “The use of drones to deliver weapons, drugs, and cell phones is an evolving but imminent threat that our correctional system is facing as we continue to close off other means of introducing contraband into our facilities.”