According to new data from the NYS Department of Correctional Services, the number of inmate assaults and suicides rose in 2010, despite a decline in the inmate population. Assaults on other prisoners rose to 675 from 602 in 2009, and assaults on staff rose from 567 to 576. There were also 20 inmate suicides and 117 suicide attempts last year, up from 10 suicides in 2009 and 150 attempts.
The union representing prison guards says the trend could continue if Governor Cuomo closes some of the state's 67 correctional facilities, but the Department of Correctional Facilities disagrees. One DOCF employee we spoke to told us that Cuomo wouldn't close any maximum security prisons, where this data comes from. We're awaiting information from the department on statistics from middle-security prisons, and will update when we have more.
