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No charges have been filed following the discovery of a contraband package dropped by a drone at Marcy Correctional Facility in New York. On Saturday (March 14), authorities found a package containing knives, a cellphone, two hair clippers, four bandanas, and a "green leafy substance" between two dormitories. The package, dropped by a drone, also had wires protruding from it, prompting a call to the bomb squad. However, the package was deemed safe.
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) stated that the drone was detected flying over the facility around 1 a.m. The package was swiftly recovered, and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about drone use in smuggling contraband into prisons. DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III described drones as "an evolving but imminent threat" to the correctional system.
Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed legislation to strengthen restrictions on drone use near prisons. The proposal includes creating new criminal offenses for illegal drone activity and expanding law enforcement's ability to detect and disable drones. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association supports these measures, citing the growing threat drones pose to safety within correctional facilities.
The Marcy Correctional Facility has faced scrutiny over the years due to allegations of abuse and misconduct by staff. In 2024, the death of inmate Robert Brooks, who was beaten by multiple officers, sparked public outrage and calls for reform. The facility continues to be under the spotlight as advocates push for accountability and improvements in New York's prison system.