East Hudson Valley News

State Senator Rob Rolison, serving as the ranking member of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections Committee, is probing the cause of a recent illness outbreak in state prisons. The incident affected multiple groups, including correction officers, staffers, inmates, and National Guardsmen assigned to the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County. Some of those affected required hospital treatment.

Rolison, alongside fellow Republican colleagues, has formally reached out to the State Commission of Correction. They are advocating for an investigation into the "prevalence and impact of exposure incidents" within state prison environments. Their communication emphasizes the necessity for thorough data gathering related to these exposure incidents and the analysis of any substances potentially linked to them.

In addition to these efforts, Rolison has updated his fentanyl exposure bill. The bill, initially designed to establish aggravated reckless endangerment for individuals knowingly possessing fentanyl or its derivatives and recklessly exposing first responders or correctional officers, has been expanded. The updated legislation now includes civilian employees of correctional facilities and active military personnel serving in these facilities as protected individuals.