Correctional Association of New York Releases Post-Visit Report on Shawangunk Correctional Facility
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
June 9, 2025
Contact: media@correctionalassociation.org
Correctional Association of New York Releases New Report on Shawangunk Correctional Facility Access to Healthcare, Officer and Medical Staffing Shortages Among Top Concerns
Brooklyn, NY — The Correctional Association of New York (CANY) has released a Post Visit Briefing report on Shawangunk Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison for men in Ulster County, New York. The report details findings from interviews with incarcerated individuals, analysis of administrative data, meetings with staff, and observations made by CANY during a monitoring visit in May 2024. Shawangunk Correctional Facility is across the street from Wallkill Correctional Facility.
Key Findings:
Staff Interactions: Less than one-third of incarcerated individuals CANY interviewed reported having seen or experienced verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by staff at Shawangunk. This is a lower share compared to other maximum-security facilities. CANY reported that incarcerated individuals had relatively positive impressions of staff, citing instances of staff responsiveness and respect. On the date of CANY’s visit, the prison had over 1,000 stationary cameras installed and operating at the prison.
Staffing Shortages: Shawangunk faced staffing challenges in security, medical, and administrative areas on the date of the visit. Executive leadership at the prison noted difficulties recruiting new staff due to low salaries and competition within the region. Of 260 Correctional Officer positions, 46 were vacant, which led to officers losing time off each week to fully staff the facility. For medical staff, the prison had a vacancy for a physician and many nursing vacancies covered by contracted staff. Among administrative staff, vacancies impacted day-to-day operations at the prison.
Medical and Dental Care: Medical services at Shawangunk were a major concern raised by incarcerated people. Only 38% of people interviewed reported receiving adequate medical care – the lowest of all the maximum-security prisons CANY has visited recently. Many reported delays in accessing specialty care and errors in receiving prescribed medications or treatments.
Mental Health Care: Only 15% of incarcerated individuals stated that they could access needed mental health programs.
Programs and Recreation: The report highlights Shawangunk’s strong academic and vocational programs. 85% reported access to mandatory academic and vocational programs — a rate higher than any other facility CANY has recently visited. Participation in college programming was also notably high.
Food: Many incarcerated individuals raised serious concerns about the quality, hygiene, and nutritional value of meals. This concern has been noted across prisons in the state.
Commissary: Only 24% of individuals in general population units at Shawangunk reported that the commissary is adequately stocked.
Grievance System: While the grievance program at Shawangunk had the highest participation rate among recently visited facilities, respondents expressed low levels of trust in the fairness of the process.
Access to Phone Calls and Visits: All incarcerated individuals interviewed reported being able to access phone calls and in-person visits if they chose to do so.
“Shawangunk Correctional Facility presents a complex picture, demonstrating a mix of strengths and challenges,” said Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of CANY. “Importantly, we documented fewer instances of reported abuse and a more positive, respectful culture among staff and incarcerated individuals compared to other facilities. At the same time, our findings highlight serious concerns, especially in access to quality medical care and staffing shortages in administrative and security positions that affect essential operations. These problems must be addressed to support the health and well-being of everyone living and working at Shawangunk.”
The full report is available at:
About CANY
CANY, under §146, of New York’s Correction Law, is charged with visiting and examining the state's correctional facilities to identify and report on prison conditions, the treatment of incarcerated individuals, and the administration of policy promulgated by the executive and legislature. Founded in 1844 by concerned citizens of the state and deputized by the state to provide monitoring and oversight of the state’s prisons in 1846, CANY is one of the first organizations in the country prescribed to administer civilian oversight of prisons.
