FISHKILL, NY — A late-night photo adventure turned into an unexpected emergency for a 19-year-old from Argyle, New York, after he found himself locked inside a cell at the former Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill early Saturday morning.
The teen, identified as Cody Mallon, had illegally entered the decommissioned prison site by crawling through a hole in the perimeter fence late Friday night, according to New York State Police. His plan, authorities said, was to explore the site and take photographs.
However, what began as an impromptu photography session quickly became a distress call for help when Mallon inadvertently locked himself inside one of the old prison’s cells and couldn’t get out.
Emergency Rescue at a Closed Correctional Facility
At approximately 12:04 a.m. on June 14, police from the New York State Police Wappinger barracks and firefighters from the Glenham Fire Department responded to a report of trespassing at the shuttered correctional facility, located on Red Schoolhouse Road in the Town of Fishkill.
Upon arrival, first responders were surprised to discover that the caller was none other than Mallon himself — reaching out for help after realizing he had become trapped.
Rescue personnel were able to safely free Mallon from the locked cell without injury. Following his release, he was placed under arrest by state troopers and charged with Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree, a Class B misdemeanor under New York State law.
Legal Consequences
Mallon was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear before the Town of Fishkill Justice Court at a later date. The charge could carry penalties including fines or community service, depending on the court’s decision.
Authorities have not indicated any suspicion of further criminal activity, and no damage to the facility was reported.
A Reminder About Off-Limits Properties
The incident serves as a stark reminder that abandoned or decommissioned properties, particularly former prisons, remain off-limits to the public, regardless of their status. While locations like the Downstate Correctional Facility may be closed, they still fall under restricted access laws and often remain structurally dangerous or difficult to navigate.
The Downstate Correctional Facility, once a maximum-security prison, was officially closed in 2022 as part of the state’s efforts to consolidate correctional resources. Since then, the site has remained unoccupied but is still under state jurisdiction.
Law enforcement officials continue to urge residents not to enter restricted or abandoned state facilities, warning that doing so not only puts trespassers at legal risk but also endangers their safety.
In Mallon’s case, what could have been just a curious detour ended with a 911 call, a night behind actual bars, and criminal charges — all for a few unauthorized photographs.
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