FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
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Investigation by The Marshall Project Reveals the Lack of Medical Care In NYS Prisons Led to Preventable Deaths, Highlights Failures of Key Oversight Agency
Community Groups Demand Gov. Hochul Sign Key Jail and Prison Oversight Legislation
New York, NY: Today, The Marshall Project published an investigative report, In New York Prisons, Lack of Medical Care Led to Preventable Deaths showing that over the last decade, more than 30 incarcerated people have died in New York State prisons due to preventable or treatable ailments such as infections, obstructed bowels, and asthma attacks. The piece highlights the death of Jason “Poppy” Phillips, who died at Green Correctional Facility in December 2023 due to medical neglect related to an infected epiglottis.
The State Commission of Correction (SCOC), the independent government watchdog for New York’s jails and prisons with broad powers, is constitutionally mandated to ensure all correctional facilities are “safe, stable, and humane.” The SCOC is responsible for investigating all deaths, yet the Marshall Project found that it “takes the commission an average of two and a half years to publish a report following a [incarcerated person’s] death.” Even after issuing these long-delayed and heavily redacted reports, little to no action is taken to hold prison officials accountable. The investigation into Mr. Phillip’s death is still ongoing, highlighting the dire need to overhaul this failing commission.
In June, the New York Legislature passed a Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill, S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan), that includes overhauling the State Commission of Correction. But Gov. Hochul has yet to sign the legislation.
Statement from Melanie Dominguez, organizing director of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice: “We send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Phillips. He should be alive today. Nearly two years later, people incarcerated in New York State prisons, including our members’ loved ones, are still suffering from medical neglect, abuse, and death. This Marshall Project investigation highlights how people in state prisons are dying at alarming rates from preventable and treatable medical conditions. And it underscores how the State Commission of Correction (SCOC), the independent government watchdog, with authority over local jails and state prisons, is utterly failing at its responsibilities. The Marshall Project highlights multiple reasons the SCOC is in need of an overhaul. And this story follows two major investigative articles from The New York Times published last month. Taken together, it’s abundantly clear that reform is urgently needed. Right now, legislation to overhaul the SCOC awaits Gov. Hochul’s signature. She should immediately sign the bill.”
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