Violence in prisons is a reality. Even minimum security prisons and jails have their share of violent incidents. Even though inmates are not permitted to have weapons, they manage to get their hands on them one way or another. Sometimes they are smuggled in by visitors, sometimes they are stolen, and sometimes they are handmade by prisoners. Regardless of where they originate, weapons in prisons can cause serious harm or death.

Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash
Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash
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These Are The Top 7 Weapons Seized From Inmates In New York State Prisons

When it comes to weapons found on prisoners in 2022 (the most recent data provided by the DOCCS), there was no shortage, especially when it comes to cutting weapons.

7. Can Lid - 156 Confiscated in 2022

Photo by Ian Talmacs on Unsplash
Photo by Ian Talmacs on Unsplash
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6. Scalpel/Exacto Blade - 168 Confiscated in 2022

Photo by Matias Luge on Unsplash
Photo by Matias Luge on Unsplash
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5. Ice Pick - 327 Confiscated in 2022

Photo by Vince Veras on Unsplash
Photo by Vince Veras on Unsplash
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4. Toothbrush - 328 Confiscated in 2022

Photo by Marcos Ramírez on Unsplash
Photo by Marcos Ramírez on Unsplash
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3. Razor Blade - 394 Confiscated in 2022

Photo by Максим Рыжкин on Unsplash
Photo by Максим Рыжкин on Unsplash
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2. Shank - 406 Confiscated in 2022

Photo by Vaughan Willis on Unsplash
Photo by Vaughan Willis on Unsplash
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1. Cutting Instrument - 483 Confiscated in 2022

Photo by Matt Artz on Unsplash
Photo by Matt Artz on Unsplash
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For clarification purposes, usually, toothbrushes are filed down to have a point or have some razor or sharp object attached to them. A shank is a makeshift cutting instrument, so it could be anything from a knife to a piece of a broken bottle.

Am I the only one who finds it pretty disturbing that so many ice picks found their way into prisons???

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13 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- December 2023

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 12/01/2023:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler

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