NY. OCFS Investigated for Lap Dance Caught On Camera

Times Herald-Record
Published: 2:00 AM – 05/25/10

GOSHEN — State officials are investigating an alleged X-rated party for juvenile inmates of the Goshen Residential Center that took place in December.

A report Monday in the New York Post said security cameras caught female guests and male inmates engaged in a lap dance and other possible sex acts at the Dec. 12 event, known as a “social.”

It quoted Antonio Collado Jr., a security official at the facility and a Port Jervis resident who’s been granted legal whistle-blower status by investigators.

About the Goshen Residential Center

The Goshen Residential Center is one of 25 facilities run by the state Office of Children and Family Services.

It’s one of five secure OCFS facilities, which are for juveniles who committed crimes while under the age of 16 and were sentenced in criminal court.

They can be held until they’re 21, and can be transferred to state prison or placed on parole, depending on their sentences.

There are currently 65 inmates in Goshen, all male.

Source: Office of Children and Family Services

“There are two investigations currently being conducted, one by the Office of Children & Family Services and one by the state Commission of Correction,” State Inspector Joseph Fisch said in an e-mail statement Monday. “We are in touch with both agencies and are closely monitoring such investigations.”

Spokeswoman Kate Gurnett said Fisch believed inappropriate actions, including the lap dance, took place at the event.

OCFS spokeswoman Susan Steele said four male inmates attended the social.

Socials can be held for inmates who go at least three months without any sanctions or disciplinary action. Each inmate is allowed to invite one guest to the event, which is supervised by OCFS staff and evaluated after completion.

After the December event, “it was determined that it warranted further investigation,” Steele said. She would not comment on any specific allegations.

The Commission of Correction will issue a report within a few weeks, spokesman John Caher said.

OCFS has come under recent scrutiny: last August, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a report that staff used excessive force on inmates at four OFCS facilities and failed to provide adequate mental-health care. Goshen was not one of the facilities investigated.

Steele said OCFS facilities haven’t held any socials since the investigation began and will take any results into consideration when planning future events. She said the Goshen facility held a social last July without any problems.

Steele added that OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion “believes in providing a system of incentives to encourage positive outcomes for the youth in OCFS Care.”

Meanwhile, State Assembly Persons and Unions are stating that “OCFS has allowed the inmates to run the facilities . . . . these facilities are not safe.”

Story By Times Herald Record. By Keith Goldberg

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