An organization that provides independent monitoring and oversight of New York State prisons is raising concerns about the treatment of inmates at the Lakeview Correctional Facility. The Correctional Association of New York (CANY) released a report this week that followed a one-day visit to the Brocton-area prison in April 2025. During the monitoring visit, CANY representatives interviewed individuals in the Shock Incarceration Program, court-ordered 90-day Drug Treatment Program, and a Step-Down Program for individuals transitioning from restrictive housing. CANY representatives also met with facility leadership, union representatives, medical staff, the Incarcerated Liaison Committee (ILC) and the Incarcerated Grievance Resolution Committee (IGRC). Following the visit, CANY staff held a conference call with the Office of Mental Health (OMH) staff. CANY representatives conducted visual observations of housing areas, the mess hall, the visiting area, the program building, and the infirmary.
According to CANY, the key findings in the report include the following:
- Allegations of pervasive mistreatment by staff. 91% of interviewees reporting seeing or experiencing verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by staff and 76% of respondents reporting witnessing or experiencing racialized abuse by staff at the prison. Reports of abuse and discriminatory treatment by staff at Lakeview were the highest among all facilities recently visited by CANY.
- Allegations of excessive "physical training." Incarcerated individuals reported excessive "physical training" exercises meted out as punishment for minor infractions. Individuals described being required to assume stress positions such as standing and drinking water without being permitted to use the toilet.
- Unaddressed medical and dental needs. Many respondents described unaddressed medical or dental needs and delays in being seen. Lakeview ranked the second lowest in reports of unaddressed medical or dental needs among recently visited facilities and 32 percentage points below the average across facilities visited between May 2024 and April 2025.
Click here for the full report from CANY's visit to the Lakeview Correctional Facility.
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