Albany, NY December 4, 2020 – Disability Rights New York (DRNY) filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York today against the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), and Anthony J. Annucci, in his official capacity as the Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. DOCCS refuses to provide DRNY with complete and unredacted records pertaining to DRNY clients in DOCCS’ custody that DRNY requested pursuant to the DD and PAIMI Acts.
DOCCS’ refusal to provide complete unredacted records to DRNY not only violates the PAIMI and DD Act and its implementing regulations, it also significantly interferes with DRNY’s federal mandate to protect people with disabilities in New York State, investigate allegations of abuse and neglect, provide legal advocacy for people with disabilities, determine whether an investigation by DRNY should be conducted, and determine whether corrective action should be taken. DRNY is seeking immediate access to the records it requested and is entitled to pursuant to Federal laws.
“DOCCS’ refusal to provide these records is a clear violation of federal law. Unfortunately, their actions are not new to us. DOCCS is deliberately interfering with our ability to fulfill our mandate. ” Timothy A. Clune, Executive Director, DRNY.
