Guard member from the National force apprehended for illicitly transporting prohibited goods to prisoners
In a recent development, Savian M. Maxwell, a 30-year-old New York National Guard soldier, was arrested and charged with smuggling drugs (marijuana) and cellphones into Collins Correctional Facility, a site that has been experiencing ongoing unrest and staffing shortages in New York prisons.
Maxwell admitted to selling phones for $2,500 each and had plans to smuggle razor blades into the facility. He faces felony charges including introducing contraband and accepting bribes. This case exacerbates ongoing concerns about staffing shortages and unrest in New York prisons, as a recent strike by correction officers, driven by safety concerns and restrictions on solitary confinement, has left prisons dangerously understaffed.
The smuggling incident adds further pressure on security and staff morale, and contributes to the persistence of contraband-related issues inside prisons, which are linked to broader unrest. No newer updates about prosecution outcomes or changes in prison staffing have been reported as of August 10, 2025.
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It is worth noting that a second Guard member was questioned but not arrested in connection with the incident. The specific website address for sending leads is not provided in the text, but an email address is available: news@our website.
[1] Source: FingerLakes1.com [4] Source: The New York Times
- The smuggling incident at Collins Correctional Facility, involving Savian M. Maxwell, a guard member, further heightens concerns about crime and justice within the prison system, as it contributes to the persistence of contraband-related issues and general-news issues like ongoing unrest and staffing shortages.
- In addition to Maxwell, another unnamed Guard member was questioned in relation to the incident, adding to the broader concerns about politics and ethics within the National Guard, as questions about bribery and contraband smuggling continue to arise.