For Immediate Release -Press release
February 1, 2022
Attica , NY – Two drug seizures at Wyoming Correctional Facility has renewed calls from NYSCOPBA to re-install the Secure Vendor Program to combat contraband from making its way into hands of inmates in facilities statewide.
Last week, officers processing mailed packages for inmates located three and a half ounces of synthetic marijuana and over a dozen strips of the drug Suboxone in two mailed packages.
On Friday, January 25, an officer processing a package that had meat in it noticed irregularities in the meat. Upon further inspection, the officer found 19 balloons inside the meat. The balloons contained 49 grams of synthetic marijuana and 17 strips of Suboxone inside them.
The package was mailed from an address in Buffalo.
A half hour later an officer processing ten packages of cigars that were mailed to an inmate found alterations to the plastic seals . The packages were opened and the cigars had a green leafy substance stuffed inside that is believed to be synthetic marijuana. In all, the drugs weighed 47 grams.
The drugs were mailed from an address in Rochester.
The drugs were seized as evidence.
“There is simply no reason for the State not to re-install the Secure Vendor Program. Other states in the country have similar programs and they are an effective means for keeping a large amount of contraband from getting into the hands of inmates. Instead of talking about making changes to make prisons safer, DOCCS finally needs to put their money where their mouth is and reinstall the Secure Vendor Program before we have to endure another year of drugs and weapons making their way into the hands of inmates. ” – stated Kenny Gold , NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President.