Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

ALBANY – Newly released data from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) shows continued reductions in inmate violence and staff use-of-force incidents statewide, reinforcing what NYSCOPBA has long warned: unsafe policies drive violence, and commonsense corrections practices reduce it.

According to DOCCS’ January 22, 2026 update, incidents of inmate-on-staff assaults, inmate-on-inmate assaults, and overall use-of-force declined during 2025. A significant factor in those reductions was the suspension of HALT-mandated programming in many facilities for part of the year due to chronic understaffing, which limited inmate movement and reduced opportunities for violent encounters.

NYSCOPBA has consistently maintained that overcrowded programming, uncontrolled inmate interaction, and the lack of meaningful discipline under HALT created a volatile and dangerous environment inside state prisons. The suspension of HALT programming, combined with other negotiated policy changes, such as the implementation of legal mail scanning, directly contributed to the decrease in assaults reflected in the DOCCS data.

“For years, our members have been forced to work in unsafe conditions created by misguided policies that ignored staffing realities and common sense,” said NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers. “The DOCCS data released today confirms what we have said all along — when HALT programming was suspended and inmate movement was reduced, assaults went down. When contraband was addressed by implementing the aforementioned programs, the numbers went down. These results were entirely predictable.”

NYSCOPBA cautioned that while the reductions are encouraging, they are fragile and reversible if failed policies are reinstated without regard for staffing and safety.

“This should be a wake-up call to the lawmakers who pushed HALT through despite repeated warnings from correctional professionals,” Summers added. “If the goal is safer facilities for staff and inmates alike, then policies must be based on reality, not ideology. We remain committed to working with DOCCS on solutions that actually work and finally put safety first. A starting point would be to take the recommendations of the HALT Committee that was jointly formed between NYSCOPBA, DOCCS and other state Labor Unions.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: East State Street is blanketed in snow on Thursday morning with the Presbyterian Church in the background.

Orleans County is facing three different weather advisories.

A cold weather advisory just went into effect at 10 a.m. and continues until 10 a.m. on Saturday. There will be bitterly cold wind chills as low as 15 to 20 below zero in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and northern Erie counties.

“This is a potentially hazardous situation to be outdoors,” stated the National Weather Service in Buffalo. “If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 15 below zero or colder.”

A second weather advisory begins today at 3 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Saturday. The winter weather advisory calls for 3 to 5 inches, with gusts as high as 40 miles per hour producing blowing and drifting snow.

This advisory includes Orleans, Monroe, Wayne and northern Cayuga counties.

“Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands,” said the National Weather Service in Buffalo. “If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.”

A winter storm warning goes into effect from Saturday night through Monday evening with heavy snow expected. Snow will develop from south to north Sunday morning through midday, with the heaviest snow later Sunday afternoon through Monday morning, the Weather Service said.

The following are facing drug charges, from left: Richard Button, Jerry Robinson, Jr. and Alaina Reece.

ALBION – Three people have been charged after an investigation into the sale and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine throughout Orleans County from the city of Rochester.

They were charged following a vehicle stop in the village of Albion. The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and the Albion Police Department executed a search warrant on the driver and the vehicle.

Another search warrant was then executed by Task Force members, the Albion PD and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at 431 West State St., lot #19 in Albion. Police arrested two people on drug charges with a third person from Rochester also charged who was allegedly the supplier of the fentanyl and cocaine.

Police seized over 1 ounce of cocaine, over an half ounce of fentanyl, various narcotic pills, over $1,600 in cash, scales and other drug paraphernalia.

The following were charged:

Jerry Robinson Jr., 36, of Lincoln Street in Rochester, who was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree (AII felony), and one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (C felony).

Richard Button, 35, of 431 West State St. lot #19 in Albion, who was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felonies).

Alaina Reece, 25, of 431 West State St. lot #19 in Albion, who was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felonies).

Robinson was held in the county jail for CAP court, awaiting an appearance in Orleans County Court in front County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Button and Reece were released on appearance tickets due to bail reform laws. They are to return to Albion Town Court on Feb. 10.

Additional arrests and charges are pending in this case, said Joe Sacco, supervising investigator for the Task Force.

Assisting in the investigation include District Attorney Susan Howard, the Albion Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Police seized over 1 ounce of cocaine, over an half ounce of fentanyl, various narcotic pills, over $1,600 in cash, scales and other drug paraphernalia.

Donevan Harrison, left, and Marshella Johnson

ALBION – Two people are facing felony drug charges after cocaine, cash, scales and drug paraphernalia were seized after a search warrant at 431 West State St., Lot 29, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.

The Task Force executed the search warrant with assistance from the Orleans County Special Response Team, Albion Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Donevan Harrison, 39, and Marshella Johnson, 42, both of the above address each have been charged with 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felony), 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (D felony) and 1 count of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree (A misdemeanor).

Harrison and Johnson were both released on their own recognizance and issued appearance tickets to return to Albion Town Court on Feb. 10. No bail could be set due to the state’s bail reform laws, the Task Force said.

The Task Force, in a news release, said District Attorney Susan Howard and the Orleans County K9 unit assisted in the investigation. Joe Sacco, supervising investigator for the Task Force, said more arrests and charges are pending.