State commission cites Oswego County jail for failing to meet minimum standards in 6 areas

Oswego, N.Y. ― The state Commission of Correction has cited the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office for failing to meet minimum standards in six areas at the county jail.

The commission issued a letter to the sheriff’s office Wednesday, directing the office to comply with the state standards, including medical screening questionnaires, inspection of locks and classification of incarcerated individuals.

Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton said the letter was the result of the commission’s yearly review of the facility. He said the letter is intended to give the office a date to comply to avoid a court order.

He said they will address the issues and he expects they will be in compliance before the Dec. 10 deadline.

No suicides have been reported at the facility in several years.

The Oswego County Correctional Facility was found to be in violation of the minimum standard of the following requirements, according to the commission’s letter:

• Failing to ensure suicide prevention screening questionnaires are properly administered and that required action is taken.
• Failing to adequately record staff observations of the condition and behavior of people who require additional supervision.
• Failing to ensure that all locks and securing devices are consistently inspected and that inspections are documented.
• Failing to ensure people with different “classifications” are not comingling in housing units without documented justification.
• Failing to have a chief administrator review and revise classifications as needed.
• Failing to provide barber services

When asked what issues spurred the order, a commission spokesperson said the directive “speaks for itself.”

The spokesperson, Kirstan Conley, said this is one of four directives issued statewide since the beginning of 2024.