Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay (D-100) is calling for a comprehensive, statewide investigation into reported drug-exposure incidents in New York’s prisons. The incidents have put both staff and incarcerated people at risk of illness and severe bodily harm. 

In a letter sent late last week to Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, Kay requested a full review of every reported exposure across all state facilities since January 1 of this year. She also called for a temporary suspension of paper mail and tobacco use inside facilities to avoid any further emergencies until a solution can be deployed.

“The people who keep our prisons operating should not be at risk of exposure to lethal substances when they report for duty. I will not stop pushing the department to find a solution until effective protections for corrections officers and incarcerated people are firmly in place.” 

At Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County, DOCCS has installed a specialized scanner for legal mail.

“I appreciate the Department of Corrections’ collaboration, and the introduction of a new scanner for legal mail shows good faith and a shared commitment to safety,” Kay said. “However, exposures continue to be reported, and this deeply worrisome situation is still not resolved. We must prioritize a thorough investigation and, most importantly, a clear, statewide plan to keep people safe inside our prisons.” 

Kay asked DOCCS for a full investigation of all exposure incidents among incarcerated individuals and staff from January 1, 2025 to the present, and the temporary suspension of paper mail and tobacco use inside facilities until the scope of the problem is understood and an effective remedy is in place.

Kay added that she will continue working toward complementary policy solutions in Albany, especially those that support the wellness and resilience of correctional staff. 

“Corrections officers and other staff play a vital role in the safety of incarcerated people and our wider community,” Kay said. “Given the nature of their work—not to mention statewide staffing shortages—they are not able to easily walk away or find new jobs. We owe it to them to keep working together to understand and prevent these dangerous exposure incidents.”

The Office of Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay 
Albany, NY