Two Sing Sing Prisoners Die Hours Apart as Illegal Guard Strike Drags On
Two men died hours apart on Wednesday afternoon inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility, bringing the total number of deaths behind bars to three since correction officers at more than two dozen New York State facilities went on strike earlier this month.
Anthony Douglas, 67, Found Dead in Cell
Anthony Douglas, 67, who was locked up for nearly 40 years on a murder conviction against a drug dealer in Brooklyn, was found dead inside his cell at 4:25 p.m., according to Thomas Mailey, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Officials said Douglas appeared to have taken his own life, but the cause of death is yet to be determined, according to multiple prison advocates.
Franklyn Dominguez, 35, Found Unresponsive in Cell
Just over four hours later, guards found 35-year-old Franklyn Dominguez "unresponsive in his cell" at 8:48 p.m., Mailey said. Staff tried to revive him and took life-saving measures, including CPR and Narcan to reverse a possible overdose, Mailey added. Dominguez had been in prison since July 2022 on an assault case in Manhattan, state records show.
Ongoing Strike Causes Widespread Concern
The strike, which began on February 17, has caused widespread concern among prison advocates, who fear for the safety and well-being of the prisoners. The strike has also blocked all inmates from visits with friends and family and locked them out of educational and social programs or counseling services.
Third Death in a Week
At least three prisoners in all have died throughout the state since the wildcat strike started. On Saturday morning, Jonathan Grant, 61, was found dead at the Auburn Correctional Facility in Cayuga County, the New York Times reported. Grant had been "unwell" and suffered a series of strokes, two prisoners at Auburn and a person who reviewed information about his health told the Times. The fellow inmates told the paper that Grant had asked for medical help days earlier but was ignored.
Criminal Justice Reformers Weigh In
"Critics say the prisoners upstate have more to gripe about than the guards," said Jerome Wright, co-director of the #HALTsolitary Campaign. "The officers claim to be complaining about safety. They are not dying. We are. So whose safety is really a concern here?"
National Guard Deployed to Prisons
Last Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul activated approximately 6,500 New York National Guard members to help run basic operations in multiple prisons. Many are sleeping inside the prisons, where some have complained about deplorable conditions.
Conditions in Prisons
"Each prison is different, but across the board, it’s just terrible," one national guard member told News 12 Hudson Valley. "We all agree that Afghanistan was better than the conditions in these prisons."
Prison Reform and SOLitary Confinement
The strike is centered around the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary (HALT) Act, which restricts the use of solitary confinement to 15 days and bans it for pregnant women and people with mental illness. State correction officers at dozens of facilities, including Sing Sing and Auburn, have refused to come to work until Hochul signs an executive order to repeal the HALT Act.
Conclusions and Next Steps
The ongoing strike has led to a series of concerns about the safety and well-being of prisoners, as well as the conditions in the prisons. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to address the root causes of the strike and work towards a solution that prioritizes the needs of both prison staff and prisoners.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the strike?
The strike is centered around the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary (HALT) Act, which restricts the use of solitary confinement to 15 days and bans it for pregnant women and people with mental illness.
What are the demands of the striking officers?
The demands of the striking officers are not publicly disclosed, but it is believed that they are seeking changes to the HALT Act and improved working conditions.
What is the current situation in the prisons?
The prisons are in a state of crisis, with prisoners being locked down in their cells and unable to access educational and social programs. Conditions are also reported to be deplorable, with prisoners complaining of poor living conditions and inadequate medical care.
What is the role of the National Guard in the situation?
The National Guard has been deployed to help run basic operations in multiple prisons, but their presence has been met with criticism from some, who argue that they are not equipped to deal with the complex issues facing the prisons.
