New York Prisoners Claim Abuse Following 2 Murderers Escape

The escape of convicted murderers from the maximum-security prison in New York in June 2015 reportedly lead to a retribution campaign by the facilities’ authorities that included beatings.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The escape of convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, New York in June 2015 lead to a retribution campaign by the facilities’ authorities that included beatings, local media reported.

Sixty inmates from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora filed official complaints with a US legal aid organization Prisoners’ Legal Services, The New York Times Reported on Tuesday.

On June 6, 2015, Matt and Sweat escaped from the prison through a series of elaborate tunnels with the use of power tools. The authorities launched a manhunt for the escapees and killed Matt during the pursuit on June 26, but captured Sweat alive two days later.

Following the escape, the authorities started a “retaliation campaign” aiming to find out details of Matt and Sweat’s escape plan, according to media.

Prisoners were beaten, choked and their heads were slammed against the walls, while inmates from the same prison block as Matt and Sweat were placed in solitary confinement, the media reported.

The New York Corrections Department is currently looking into the complaints filed by the 60 affected prisoners.

The Clinton Correctional Facility was opened in 2000 and houses 1,294 inmates, according to the New York State Corrections Department and Community Supervision data.