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Friday, April 19, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

USA Calls NY State Prison Abysmal

BUFFALO (CN) - Attorney General Eric Holder says Erie County's state prison "repeatedly and consistently disregarded known or serious risks of harm to inmates," including sexual abuse from jailers, excessive force, infectious diseases and puts suicidal prisoners in cells that "contain multiple means for committing suicide."

The United States sued the Erie County Correctional Facility and a long list of state and county officials, saying conditions in the prison are so bad they are unconstitutional.

Prosecutors say the defendants "repeatedly and consistently disregarded" their dangerous practices despite detailed investigative findings outlined by Attorney General Loretta King in July this year.

Prosecutors say the prison's multiple failures led to multiple suicides and attempted suicides. The prison also fails to test for tuberculosis and manage infectious diseases, according to the complaint.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who signed the complaint, wants the prison ordered to shape up.

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