Statement from the Correctional Association of New York on the Death of Imam Abdallah Hadian at Marcy Correctional Facility
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
November 7, 2025
Contact: media@correctionalassociation.org
The following statement can be attributed to Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of the Correctional Association of New York (CANY):
The Correctional Association of New York expresses alarm and concern regarding the death by suicide of Imam Abdallah Hadian at Marcy Correctional Facility on Friday, November 7. We extend our deepest condolences to Imam Hadian’s family, his adherents, and to the staff and incarcerated individuals at Marcy who have been affected by this horrific incident.
Imam Hadian’s death calls further attention to the crises plaguing New York State’s prison system, as evidenced by:
The murders of incarcerated individuals, Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, by prison staff at Marcy and Mid-State Correctional Facilities.
An illegal work stoppage by correctional officers and sergeants, compromising safety for remaining staff and incarcerated individuals.
A 34% year-over-year increase in the number of in-custody deaths between 2023 and 2024, including a 108% increase in the number of suicides among incarcerated individuals.
Increased contraband in facilities, with 5,136 reported instances of contraband found in 2024, including contraband drugs causing medical emergencies among incarcerated people and staff.
An acute increase in the vacancy rates among staff, rising from 13.3% in January 2024 to 27.4% in April 2025.
CANY urges Governor Kathy Hochul to act decisively and without delay to alleviate the deteriorating living and working conditions in New York's state prisons by signing the Prison Omnibus Reform Bill and closing up to three prisons, including Marcy Correctional Facility, as authorized in the State Budget. We also call on lawmakers to comprehensively address the crises in the state’s prisons to improve safety and wellbeing for staff and incarcerated individuals in the coming legislative session.
About CANY
The Correctional Association of New York (CANY) is an independent, non-profit organization with a legislative mandate to monitor and report on the conditions in New York State prisons. CANY was founded in 1844 and deputized by the state to provide monitoring and oversight of the state’s prisons in 1846, making it one of the first organizations in the country to administer civilian oversight of prisons. CANY conducts monitoring visits, publishes reports, and informs policy to improve conditions in New York State prisons.
