Dear Commissioner, Governor Hochul, Superintendent Miller, and Honorable Elected Officials,

 

Please accept the enclosed formal petition submitted on behalf of myself and numerous affected families regarding systemic visitor and inmate mistreatment, safety failures, administrative breakdowns, and lack of accountability at Green Haven Correctional Facility.

 

This petition outlines persistent issues, including but not limited to visitor access failures, unsanitary conditions, retaliation against inmates and families, staff misconduct, lack of training, inconsistent use of newly implemented body scanners, improper package handling, ignored grievances, and the breakdown of inmate rehabilitation programs.

 

These concerns reflect long-standing patterns, not isolated incidents, and raise serious questions about compliance with DOCCS policies, staff training standards, and the State of New York’s obligation to ensure safe, humane, and lawful correctional operations.

 

The enclosed petition includes detailed accounts, formal requests for corrective action, and space for supporting signatures. We respectfully request:

 

-Written acknowledgment of receipt

-Immediate review and investigation

-A formal written response outlining corrective actions and timelines

 

Families should not be punished for maintaining ties with their incarcerated loved ones, and incarcerated individuals should not be subjected to unsafe, retaliatory, or degrading conditions.

 

Thank you for your time and attention to these urgent matters. We look forward to your prompt response.

 

Respectfully,

 

Keisha King-Binns

On behalf of affected families and supporters

 

 

 

 

To:

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS)

The Harriman State Campus – Building 2

1220 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY 12226-2050

 

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of the State of New York

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

 

Superintendent Mark Miller

Green Haven Correctional Facility

594 Route 216

Stormville, NY 12582-0010

 

Hon. Brennan Kearney

Dutchess County Legislator, District 12 (East Fishkill)

15 Center Street

Rhinebeck, NY 12572

 

Nicholas D. Allesandro

Town Supervisor, Town of Fishkill

95 Stormville Road

Hopewell Junction, NY 12533-6338

 

From:

Keisha King-Binns

Bronx, NY 

 

 

RE: Petition to Address Systemic Visitor and Inmate Mistreatment, Safety Concerns, and Administrative Failures at Green Haven Correctional Facility

 

Dear Commissioner, Governor Hochul, Superintendent Miller, and Elected Officials,

 

I am submitting this petition on behalf of myself and numerous affected families to formally request immediate intervention, investigation, and corrective action regarding persistent and systemic failures at Green Haven Correctional Facility. These failures negatively impact incarcerated individuals, their families, especially children, and undermine public trust in the New York State correctional system.

 

The issues outlined below are not isolated incidents. They reflect long-standing patterns of disorganization, neglect, misconduct, and retaliation that demand urgent oversight.

 

1. Visitor Access, Entry, and Line Management

 

-There is no reliable, transparent system for managing visitor entry or line placement.

-Families arrive early yet are arbitrarily moved, delayed, or denied access.

 This lack of structure causes confusion, conflict, and unnecessary stress for visitors.

 

 

2. Family Reunion Program (FRP) and Visiting Conditions

 

Scheduled FRP visits are frequently disrupted or mishandled without explanation, even when families arrive by 7:30 a.m., their processing does not begin until 3 p.m., which takes away precious time from the families.

 

Visiting rooms lack:

-Recreational or age-appropriate activities for children

-Any staff assigned to clean, disinfect, or maintain the visiting areas

 

These conditions pose health and safety risks, particularly for young children and the elderly.

 

 

3. Locker Availability and Visitor Accommodations

 

-There are not enough lockers available for visitors.

-Lockers are reportedly shared with facility employees, reducing availability.

-Existing lockers are too small, especially for visitors traveling with children using public transportation.

-Visitors are often forced to leave valuable personal property, such as car keys, purses, etc., unsupervised on top of the lockers out in the open for the duration of the visit.

 

This creates unnecessary hardship and discourages family visitation, which is proven to support rehabilitation.

 

 

4. Facility Count Mismanagement During Visiting Hours

 

-Inmate counts during visits are inconsistent and frequently mismanaged.

-Visitors are often held past the 2:30 p.m. visiting cutoff due to miscounts.

-Counts are sometimes conducted, sometimes skipped, and most often incorrect.

 

 This lack of consistency reflects serious operational failures.

 

 

5. Out-of-Visitor-Room (OVR) Equipment Failures

 

The change machine in the OVR has been out of service since June 2025.

Visitors are not informed in advance and are left unable to purchase basic items.

 

 

6. Package Processing and Financial Losses

 

There is widespread disorganization and improper handling of inmate packages.

Allegations include:

 

-Tampering with packages

-Falsification of processing documents

-Excessive delays cause perishable items to spoil

 

Families lose money, and the reimbursement or accountability process is almost nonexistent

 

 

7. Staff Misconduct and Sexual Impropriety

 

There are serious concerns regarding unprofessional and inappropriate sexual conduct involving certain correctional officers, including:

 

 -Sexualized dancing or gyrating in view of inmates

 -Inappropriate comments and sexual advances

 -Allegations of sexual acts involving staff and inmates

 

 Such behavior compromises safety, professionalism, and institutional integrity.

 

 

8. Retaliation and Suppression of Grievances

 

Inmates and families report retaliation after filing complaints or grievances.

Grievances are:

-Ignored

-Left unanswered

-Torn up in front of inmates

-Never officially submitted

 

This practice violates basic due process and silences legitimate concerns.

 

 

9. Safety and Privacy Concerns

 

Visitors’ personal information is inadequately protected, raising safety risks.

There is a clear lack of accountability and oversight regarding data handling.

 

 

10. Staffing, Training, and Institutional Breakdown

 

New correctional officers appear insufficiently trained.

There is a pervasive culture of unprofessionalism.

Reports indicate:

Lack of solidarity or effective union accountability

Rehabilitation programs are not consistently running or being abandoned entirely

 

 

11. Environmental Health Hazards

 

Persistent roach and rodent infestations have been observed throughout the facility.

These conditions pose serious health risks to inmates, staff, and visitors.

 

 

12. Lack of Training, Staffing Failures, and Inconsistent Use of Body Scanners

 

Newly implemented body scanners are used inconsistently, with procedures varying by officer and shift.

 

Visitors are subjected to conflicting instructions, repeated scans, unnecessary delays, and arbitrary denials.

 

Many correctional officers appear insufficiently trained on proper scanner operation, visitor protocols, and conflict de-escalation.

 

Improper or inconsistent scanner use has resulted in:

 

-Confusion and humiliation of visitors

-Increased wait times and missed visits

-Heightened tensions between staff and families

 

The lack of standardized training and enforcement undermines both security objectives and visitor rights.

 

 

Formal Requests

 

We respectfully demand the following actions:

 

1. An independent investigation into Green Haven Correctional Facility operations

2. Immediate reforms to visitor access, locker availability, and visiting room sanitation

3. Transparent and consistent inmate count procedures during visiting hours

4. Full audit and reform of package processing practices with reimbursement mechanisms

5. Investigation into staff misconduct, retaliation, and grievance suppression

6. Mandatory training, accountability measures, and oversight for correctional officers

7. Restoration and monitoring of inmate rehabilitation programs

8. Immediate extermination and facility-wide sanitation efforts

 

Families should not be punished for maintaining bonds with their incarcerated loved ones. Inmates should not be subjected to neglect, retaliation, or unsafe conditions. These failures contradict the mission of rehabilitation, public safety, and human dignity.

We respectfully request a written acknowledgment and a formal response outlining corrective actions and timelines.

 

Thank you for your immediate attention to these urgent matters.

 

Respectfully,

 

 

Keisha King-Binns

On behalf of affected families and supporters

 

 

 

Keisha King-Binns

Bronx, NY 

 

Records Access Officer

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS)

The Harriman State Campus – Building 2

1220 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY 12226-2050

 

 

RE: Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Request – Green Haven Correctional Facility

 

Dear Records Access Officer,

 

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6), I hereby request access to and copies of records related to Green Haven Correctional Facility, for the period of January 1, 2024, to present, including but not limited to the following:

 

1. All policies, directives, memoranda, and standard operating procedures governing:

 

   * Visitor processing and entry

   * Line placement and visiting room management

   * Inmate counts conducted during visiting hours

   * Package intake, inspection, storage, and delivery

 

2. All records related to the implementation, operation, and training for body scanners at Green Haven, including:

 

   * Training manuals, lesson plans, and certification records

   * Dates and attendance records of officer training

   * Any guidance addressing inconsistent scanner usage

 

3. Records of complaints, incident reports, investigations, or disciplinary actions involving:

 

   * Staff misconduct

   * Sexual misconduct or unprofessional behavior

   * Retaliation related to grievances or complaints

 

4. Logs or reports documenting:

 

   * Visitor complaints

   * Grievance submissions and dispositions

   * Package rejections, delays, spoilage, or reimbursements

 

5. Records relating to sanitation, pest control, and environmental health inspections.

 

If any portion of this request is denied, please provide the specific statutory exemption(s) relied upon. If records exist in electronic format, I request that they be provided electronically.

 

I request a waiver of fees as the disclosure of these records is in the public interest and will contribute to public understanding of correctional facility operations and oversight.

 

Please confirm receipt of this request and advise of any clarification needed. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Sincerely,

 

Keisha King-Binns

 

FOIL REQUEST TRACKING LOG – GREEN HAVEN CF

 

FOIL Request #             Date Submitted            Agency               Records Requested   Method (Mail/Email)                Acknowledgment Date            Due Date (20 Business Days)              Status Notes / Follow-Up

 

001                       DOCCS              Body scanner training, visitor protocols         Certified Mail                                             

002                       DOCCS              Grievances, retaliation complaints                  Certified Mail                                          

003                       DOCCS              Package handling, sanitation logs                   Certified Mail