“The ultimate expression of law is not order — it’s prison. There are hundreds upon hundreds of prisons, and thousands upon thousands of laws, yet there is no social order, no social peace….The law and everything that interlocks with it was constructed for … people like me.” – George Jackson
The following details events that occurred yesterday involving a male officer along with several other officers who are frequently accused of verbal and physical assaults of barbaric and terroristic behaviors in his role as a corrections officer. In spite of numerous grievances, resident’s concerns voiced through in-house channels, as well as those complaints lodged by resident’s family and friends to official channels, the violations of both mental and physical assaults persist nonetheless. New York State’s Bedford Hills C.F. was built in 1901, and it’s long history of abuses is undeniable, and even more so is the lack of accountability from its leadership whose salaries are paid by the citizen’s of that state, and those of the United States when one considers the federal subsidies it receives every year but clearly somehow feels it is accountable to that same citizenry.
Case in point yesterday, 11/30/2025 around 10:41am, (EST) Resident Rev. Joy Powell (07G0632) and other residents were taking showers, and they were completely naked as Rev. Powell was exiting the shower when officer Palencia entered unannounced and refused to leave the area. He, in pursuit of another resident, was threatening to mace everyone in the shower area. As already stated, Officer Palencia, whose name comes up frequently, has a reputation as a woman-beater, and is involved in frequent attacks upon the very incarcerated individuals he swore an oath to protect. Rev. Powell, an elder at Bedford Hills, experienced severe anxiety attacks along with others who were also showering due to his behavior. Officer Palencia’s actions violated both facility protocols and DOCCS policies by refusing to announce himself or choose alternative actions (such as requesting aid of a female colleague).
Victim Rev. Joy Powell, in the past, has been assaulted, stalked, even raped, and violated by a former Sergeant who was never charged nor convicted for his crimes against her but was allowed to retire instead. Based on her own previous experiences, this is no joking matter to a victim of institutional abuses, one who has seen such abuses be swept under the rug repeatedly. Bedford Hills C.F. officers sought to close their ranks and concoct stories for their own self-protection, instead of rendering proper aid, including mental and medical health services, to those impacted by their own actions.
The National Guard assigned to the facility attempted to escort victims in question to Mental Health services, yet certain staff immediately made themselves obstructions to this care and instead demeaned and ridiculed those trying to provide basic care. Resident Powell had already suffered injuries to her wrist and arm the day before, which had resulted in them being severely swollen. And yet, officers persisted in wanting to place cuffs on her, thus damaging her wrists further. In fact, as of today they’re still denying her ice to place on injured areas, although policy allows for such.
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Victim
Joy Powell, 07G0632
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Agencies to Contact
Bedford Hills C.F.
247 Harris Road
Bedford Hills, NY, 10507
Superintendent Linda Carrington-Allen
Call: (914) 241-3100
DOCCS Office of Special Investigations, Prison Rape Elimination Act, (PREA)
Complete a standard complaint form and mail to:
Office of Special Investigations – Intake Unit
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
Harriman State Office Campus – Building 4
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12226-2050
Call: (844) 674-4697
Online Complaint Form:
https://publicapps.doccs.ny.gov/DOCCSWebOSIComplaintForm…
DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226
Call: (518) 457-8134
Contact Form:
https://publicapps.doccs.ny.gov/DOCCSWebContactForm.aspx
DOCCS Darren Miller, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations
1220 Washington Ave Bldg 4
Albany, NY 12226-2050
Call: (518) 457-2653, or (518) 457-2653
Contact Form:
https://publicapps.doccs.ny.gov/DOCCSWebContactForm.aspx
DOCCS Michael D’Amore, Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities
Call: (518) 457-8138,
Contact Form:
https://publicapps.doccs.ny.gov/DOCCSWebContactForm.aspx
The Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Call: (518) 474-8390, 9am-5pm
Online Contact Form:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
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Letter Writing Script
Dear [Recipient’s Name or Title],
I am writing to urgently demand an immediate investigation of events involving several residents, including Rev. Joy Powell (#07g0632), currently incarcerated at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Over the past 4–5 days, Rev. Powell has suffered multiple injuries, including to her wrist and arm, as well as male staff entering the shower area where incarcerated individuals were naked and exposed, many of whom have already suffered traumatic abuses throughout their lives. Despite promises from staff, Rev. Joy has been denied medical and mental health treatment services, she is still in pain and being denied ice to alleviate the pain and swelling.
Facility staff Officers Rios and Lopez misled her about medical transport, then another Officer Shakel told her that a broken wrist or arm is “not considered a medical emergency.” Witnesses to these events were even harassed by Officer Ortiz for advocating for Rev. Powell’s receiving medical attention. Rev. Powell, and others, still have medical needs including mental health concerns as a result of Officer Palencia, actions and lack of professionalism in that environment.
I demand the following actions without delay:
1. Rev. Joy Powell receive immediate needed medical and mental healthcare,
2. A full investigation into the conduct of National Guard member Johnson, and Officers Rios, Lopez, Shakel, and Ortiz, and Palencia.
3. Accountability measures be instituted to ensure staff do not retaliate against witnesses or deny medical and mental health services.
This situation is a matter of health, safety, and human rights. Please act swiftly to ensure Rev. Powell’s well-being and that of any other victims are upheld.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/State]
[Optional: Your Organization/Group]
Suggested Script for Calls
“I am calling regarding Rev. Joy Powell (#07g0632) and the recent incidents which have occurred at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility over the course of the past 4–5 days. Rev. Joy has suffered repeated injuries, to her wrist and arm, and was denied medical care despite promises from staff, and yesterday other incarcerated individuals, including Rev. Joy were subjected to a traumatic situation were a male officer named Palencia, entered the shower where residents were completely naked and caught off guard.
I demand the following actions without delay:
1. Rev. Joy Powell, receive immediate medical and mental healthcare services,
2. A full investigation into the conduct of National Guard member Johnson and staff Rios, Lopez, Shakel, and Ortiz, and Palencia.
3. Accountability measures be instituted to ensure staff do not retaliate against witnesses or deny medical care in the future.
This situation is a matter of health, safety, and human rights. Please act swiftly to ensure Rev. Powell’s well-being and that of other victims is upheld.
Free Em All!
Free Rev. Joy!
