Opinion
September 4, 1997
Petitioner, an inmate at Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County, was found guilty of possessing contraband after a search of his cell divulged six maps. The misbehavior report together with petitioner's admission that he possessed the maps provide substantial evidence to support the finding of guilt ( see, Matter of Foster v. Coughlin, 76 N.Y.2d 964, 966). Although petitioner contends that he was permitted to possess the maps at a different correctional facility, the record fails to establish that his possession thereof was authorized by the Superintendent at Great Meadow ( see, Matter of Jenkins v. Senkowski, 221 A.D.2d 779; Matter of Gittens v. Coughlin, 184 A.D.2d 812, 813). As such, the maps were properly characterized as contraband (see, 7 NYCRR 270.2 [B] [14] [xiv] ). Petitioner's contention that he was unaware that the possession of the maps was prohibited is equally without merit ( see, Matter of Jenkins v. Senkowski, supra).
We find petitioner's contention that the determination should be annulled due to various procedural errors to be unpersuasive. There is no evidence to support petitioner's claim that the Hearing Officer conducted an off-the-record discussion with the facility's Superintendent. In any event, even if the conversation took place, petitioner failed to show that any prejudice resulted therefrom ( see generally, Matter of Beckford v. Coombe, 233 A.D.2d 734). Petitioner's remaining contentions have been examined and found to be either without merit or unpreserved for our review.
Crew III, White, Casey and Spain, JJ., concur. Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.