Tests ‘inconclusive’ as to what made inmates and staff sick at state prisons

ALBANY – What caused inmates and staff at some Hudson Valley state prisons to in March, September and October 2025 remains inconclusive, according to the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. 

Several investigations into reported exposures in September and October 2025 have concluded, and appropriate action has been taken where warranted, while additional investigations remain ongoing,” the state agency said in a statement to Mid-Hudson News. “All allegations of misconduct or policy violations, such as illegal contraband, are subject to thorough investigation and prosecution when appropriate.”
The agency said testing related to substances recovered last September at Fishkill Correctional Facility, but one additional substance tested positive for a compound commonly found in workout powder. It said separate investigations involving paper treated with substances confirmed the presence of synthetic cannabinoids, and officials said one case was referred for prosecution by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office. Another case did not meet the threshold for criminal referral due to the limited quantity recovered.

At Eastern Correctional Facility in September 2025, the Office of Special Investigations looked into a reported exposure, but no contraband was found.

At Wallkill Correctional, several incidents were investigated with one involving a mailed envelope. Authorities determined the substance to be carbonite compound. In a second incident, investigators found no contraband connected to the reported staff exposure.

Testing related to a third incident confirmed the presence of synthetic cannabinoids on recovered paper materials, but the quantity was insufficient for criminal referral.

A Woodbourne Correctional, an investigation into a reported incident found no evidence identifying the cause of an officer’s reported symptoms.

In an unrelated situation within the prison system, some 2,700 National Guard members are still working in 33 prisons following the state corrections officers strike, during which larger numbers of guard members were called up to staff the correctional facilities.