The New York Attorney General’s Office has opened a formal investigation into the hanging death of an inmate at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining. The death occurred on June 21, 2025, and officials said new information prompted the review.
In a press release from the Office of the New York State Attorney General, the agency said its Office of Special Investigation "has now opened an investigation following the receipt of new information" after an earlier preliminary assessment. The statement did not identify the person who died or share additional details about what led up to the incident.
According to Daily Voice, the incarcerated person hanged himself at the facility and was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Authorities have so far released few other facts.
What OSI Can Do Under State Law
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, the Office of Special Investigation assesses incidents in which a police or peace officer, including corrections staff, may have caused a death. As outlined by FindLaw, the statute allows OSI to conduct a full investigation and, if warranted, present evidence to a grand jury or publish an investigative report detailing its findings.
Local Context: Sing Sing And Prior Scrutiny
Sing Sing, a maximum-security prison in Ossining, has drawn scrutiny over staffing and safety issues in recent years. Hoodline previously reported two inmate deaths during an unauthorized corrections officers strike in February 2025. Advocates and families said those deaths underscored concerns about supervision and mental health supports inside state facilities, while local leaders pressed for reforms.
The attorney general’s press release noted, "These are preliminary facts and subject to change." The Office of the New York State Attorney General said OSI’s reviews typically involve records, witness interviews and any available video or medical evidence. The office will decide whether to present its findings to a grand jury or issue a public report once the investigation is complete.
