Griffo Concerned About Psych Center Attacks

Senator Joseph Griffo has written to the state Office of Mental Health regarding the September 3rd riot at the Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy that left 12 staff members injured.

He's asking Commissioner Anne Marie Sullivan what her office was doing to better ensure the safety of staff in light of the incident and questioned whether the offending inmates could be transferred to state prison.

“If these inmates are mentally capable of planning and executing a coordinated attack on officers at a predetermined time, is it appropriate for them to be in the Psychiatric Center at all?” Griffo asked.

Griffo says he's looking forward to talking with the commissioner about ways to send a clear message to inmates that rioting and attacks against staff will not be tolerated and will result in severe punishment.