Photos: NYS Police Investigating State Corrections Transport Bus Fire

New York State Police are investigating the significant vandalism and fire last week inside one of the busses used to transport inmates inside the state corrections system.

On February 19, 2025, State Police received a report of vandalism involving two buses used to transport incarcerated individuals who are in the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).

The buses, which are owned by a company contracted by DOCCS, were parked in a storage lot on State Route 370 in the town of Victory, Cayuga County.

The rear area of one of the buses sustained heavy fire damage, and a second bus had a message “Can you hear us now” spray painted on one side.

The vandalism comes as six corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility have been charged with murder in the second degree, and five others face additional charges in the brutal beating death of inmate Robert Brooks.

Meanwhile, approximately 40 state prisons across New York have demonstrated outside facilities for the past week complaining of a severe staffing crisis, unsafe working conditions, critical problems caused by the HALT Act, and the looming threat of more prison closures. While strikes by corrections employees are illegal in New York, COs say they're putting their jobs on the line because of the dangers being caused by decisions made in Albany by downstate Democrats. Corrections officers are calling for the HALT act, which restricts their ability to implement punishments with prisoners who commit assaults inside the system, to be completely abolished.

“It is obvious why correctional officers from approximately 40 state prisons have demonstrated outside facilities for the past week: the severe staffing crisis, unsafe working conditions as a result of the HALT Act and the looming threat of more prison closures have crippled correctional facilities statewide. Our correctional officers deserve better, and deserve to feel safe when they come in to work.

"Our correctional officers deserve better, and deserve to feel safe when they come in to work," said 118th District Assemblyman Robert Smullen who represents Hamilton County, and parts of Herkimer, Oneida, Montgomery and Fulton Counties.

“I will continue to speak up for our correctional officers and work to improve working conditions in correctional facilities, fight back against proposed prison closures and ensure our officers have access to support services, proper training and mental health resources to help them excel in one of the toughest jobs in the state.”

Anyone who has information about this bus vandalism case is asked to contact NYS Police Troop E at 585-398-4100.

See picture of the damage caused by vandals below, provided by New York State Police.

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