NCJ Number
68967
Date Published
1979
Length
57 pages
Annotation
REVIEW OF THE FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM AT FIVE NEW YORK CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES BY THE STATE AUDITOR FOUND THAT THE PROGRAMS AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION NEED IMPROVEMENT AND ONE INSTITUTION DID NOT MEET SAFETY STANDARDS.
Abstract
IN 1978, THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS EXAMINED THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FIRE AND SAFETY PROGRAMS AT STATE INSTITUTIONS, REVIEWING THE BEDFORD HILLS, FISHKILL, CLINTON, ELMIRA AND QUEENSBORO FACILITIES. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1978, DEPARTMENT RECORDS SHOWED THERE WERE 256 FIRES IN STATE-OPERATED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, WITH 1 INMATE KILLED AND 44 INMATES AND 38 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS INJURED. MOST OF THE FIRES WERE INCENDIARY, IGNITED BY INMATES, AND CONFINED TO INMATE CELL AREAS. THE STATE COMMISSION OF CORRECTION IS CHARGED WITH SETTING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF PERSONS CONFINED IN STATE FACILITIES. AS OF AUGUST 31, 1978, THE COMMISSION HAD NOT ESTABLISHED STANDARDS FOR STATE INSTITUTIONS. THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HAD NOT ROUTINELY MONITORED ITS FACILITIES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH DEPARTMENT FIRE AND SAFETY DIRECTIVES; NOR HAD IT DEVELOPED PROCEDURES FOR FOLLOWING UP ON REPORTED PROGRAM DEFICIENCIES. NEITHER HAD A MECHANISM FOR ENSURING FACILITY COMPLIANCE WITH FIRE AND SAFETY REPORTING STANDARDS BEEN CREATED. DEPARTMENT DIRECTIVES HAD NOT BEEN AMENDED OR REVISED TO KEEP PACE WITH CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIRE SAFETY FIELD. RECOMMENDED ARE MINIMUM FIRE AND SAFETY RULES TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSION. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING FACILITY FIRE AND SAFETY PROGRAMS SHOULD BE REVISED AND ON-SITE INSPECTIONS INSTITUTED. THE FLAMMABLE MATTRESSES USED IN STATE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH FLAME RETARDANT ONES (ALREADY PURCHASED) AND FACILITIES SHOULD BE MONITORED FOR COMPLIANCE. THE BEDFORD HILLS HOSPITAL, WHICH HOUSES NONAMBULATORY AND MENTAL PATIENTS, A NURSERY FOR INMATES' BABIES, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, AND NEW INMATES, DID NOT MEET FIRE AND SAFETY STANDARDS. THE AUDIT RECOMMENDED REEVALUATION OF THE BUILDING'S USE AS A FACILITY. THE FIVE FACILITIES REVIEWED DID NOT COMPLY WITH SUCH FIRE AND SAFETY DIRECTIVES AS OFFICER TRAINING IN FIRE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES, INSPECTIONS, MONTHLY FIRE DRILLS, AND NO MAINTENANCE OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT. CORRECTIONAL AUTHORITIES AGREED WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND CITED THE PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE FUNDS. APPENDIXES WITH DEPARTMENT AND COMMISSION RESPONSES ARE INCLUDED.