Marcy, N.Y. — An alarming incident at Marcy Correctional Facility has drawn attention from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), highlighting the urgent need for legislation to regulate drone activity near correctional institutions. The event occurred early Saturday morning, March 14, 2026, when a drone was spotted overhead, releasing a package within the secure perimeter of the facility.
Upon inspection by the state police bomb squad, the package was deemed safe to open, revealing a trove of contraband items, including:
- Two eight-inch, double-edged knives
- Approximately 530 grams of a green leafy substance
- Five sheets of paper soaked in intoxicating chemicals
- One cellphone
- Two hair clippers, complete with chargers and accessories
- Four bandanas
Chris Summers, the President of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, expressed grave concerns over the increasing threat posed by drones to prison safety. He stated, “The use of drones for illegal activities, such as smuggling contraband into correctional facilities, has become a growing threat to the safety of everyone inside our prisons.” He emphasized the necessity of supporting Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to criminalize drone operations within 500 feet of correctional facilities.
DOCCS has publicly endorsed the Governor’s fiscal year 2027 budget plan, which aims to enhance measures against illegal drone activities. This initiative includes:
- Banning the use of drones for illicit purposes and limiting their operation over sensitive sites like prisons.
- Introducing new criminal charges for unlawful drone activities.
- Granting law enforcement expanded powers to detect, intercept, and neutralize drones that pose safety risks, with all actions reported to the New York State Police.
- Creating a registry called the New York State Blue List to identify approved drones and drone mitigation technologies for state procurement.
Following the incident, the drone involved was retrieved outside the prison grounds, and the investigation is ongoing. DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello commented on the situation, stating, “Contraband introduced into correctional facilities fuels violence and puts both staff and the incarcerated population at risk. The use of drones to deliver weapons, drugs, and cell phones is an evolving but imminent threat that our correctional system is facing.”
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