STAFF REPORTNorth Country This Week

Charges are pending following the deaths of three inmates at St. Lawrence and Franklin County prisons, two of which have been ruled as homicides. 

The killings come more than a year after wildcat strikes were held by corrections officers in 2025 due to what they called dangerous working conditions.

 In response to the illegal strikes the state fired thousands of officers. In the wake of that move the state has struggled to replenish ranks.

It also led to the early release of a number of inmates. 

The strikes came on the heels of reports that several corrections officers were exposed to fentanyl and had to be treated with Narcan. 

At the core of the strike was an argument for safer working conditions, with officers demanding body scanners and mail scanners, among other things.

Not long after corrections officers began to call for safer working conditions and a repeal of the HALT act, which limits the use of segregated confinement.

“Every incarcerated person in New York state is in our care, and right now we are failing them,” Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) said. “The HALT Act must be repealed.”

“We are well past the time for a full repeal of this misguided legislation; it has made our facilities less safe for everyone—staff and inmates alike. It’s time to stop the virtue signaling, listen to our courageous Correction Officers, and restore the order and safety that both they and the incarcerated population deserve,” State Sen. Mark Walczyk said. 

Ogdensburg

An autopsy will be scheduled following the death of an inmate at Riverview Correctional Facility in Ogdensburg April 7. 

New York State Police initially responded to Riverview Correctional Facility for a reported assault around 11 a.m. April 7. 

Two inmates identified as Ollie Jackson, 29, and Lawrence Brown, 34 were involved in a physical altercation in their dorm area, according to State Police. 

Jackson allegedly struck Brown in the face with a closed fist, causing Brown to lose his footing and fall, reportedly striking his head on an unknown object.

Brown was transported to Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and was later transferred to SUNY Upstate Medical Center, where he was placed on a ventilator due to a significant brain bleed and remained unresponsive.

On April 10, Brown succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy will be scheduled at a later time.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office are assisting with the investigation.

This remains an ongoing investigation, and charges are pending. The manner of death has not been ruled a homicide.  

Gouverneur

State Police are treating the investigation of a Gouverneur inmate’s death from a head injury as a homicide. 

On April 10 around 8:30 a.m., the New York State Police were informed of a possible homicide at Gouverneur Correctional Facility.

State Police say that correction officers were conducting routine rounds when they discovered an inmate, identified as Shaun Bennett, 45, lying on the floor in his cell.

Bennett was unable to move and was transported to the facility infirmary, where he became unresponsive. Officers and medical staff administered lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful. The St. Lawrence County Coroner responded to the scene and pronounced Bennett dead.

According to State Police, an investigation revealed that a physical altercation had occurred between Bennett and his cellmate, Savon O’Neal, 32, who was transported to SUNY Upstate Medical University for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

An autopsy was conducted at Glens Falls Hospital by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael S. Sikirica. The cause of death for Shaun Bennett was determined to be cardiorespiratory arrest due to a closed head injury, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Charges are currently pending in connection with the incident. 

Malone

The death of an inmate at a Malone prison is being treated as a homicide after signs of foul play were reportedly discovered.  

On April 6 at approximately 4:30 p.m., State Police responded to Upstate Correctional Facility on Bare Hill Road in the town of Malone for a report of a deceased male.

An investigation determined that Michael J. Campbell, age 51, was found unresponsive under a sheet. 

Further investigation reportedly revealed signs of foul play, indicating that Campbell had been strangled with a shoelace by his cellmate, Andrew Hernandez, 42.

An autopsy was conducted at Glens Falls Hospital by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael S. Sikirica. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to ligature strangulation, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office are assisting with the investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing, and charges are pending.

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