State Prison Strikes
Multiple correctional facilities across New York have had staff go on strike starting this past Monday. The unsanctioned strikes are in response to multiple events occurring at correctional facilities across New York. The strikes are against the unsafe working conditions due to staffing issues.
According to the Times Union, the strikes first started at Collins Correctional Facility and Elmira Correctional Facility in western New York. Now, they have spread all over the state, including protests in support of the cause across the North Country, including Ogdensburg, Gouverneur and Malone. Over half of the correctional facilities in New York have joined the movement despite it being illegal under the Taylor Law. This law bars people in critical public employee roles from going on strike. It can also result in officers participating in the strike losing two days of pay for every one day that they protest.
While some employees are on strike, workers not on strike are prohibited from leaving after the end of their shift. According to the Times Union, many have worked shifts up to 16 to 24 hours, sleeping on cots if necessary.
According to the New York Times, along with other improvements in working conditions, the strikers are demanding the reversal of a law that places more restrictions on who can be put in solitary confinement. Officers have said the law can threaten their safety and the safety of inmates.
On Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she planned to order the National Guard to come in if the strikes were not over by Wednesday. Since then, the National Guard has been deployed to ensure the safety of the facilities.
According to the New York Times, as of Wednesday night, Erie County State Supreme Court judge Dennis E. Ward required correctional officers on strike to begin working again through a temporary restraining order.
These strikes are in relation to recent events at correctional facilities across the state. According to Times Union, on Feb. 12, there was a lockdown after contraband was found on an inmate at Collins Correctional Facility. The lockdown was initiated by Corrections Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, who, as of Wednesday, is being investigated for his actions.
Additionally, this past December at Marcy Correctional Facility, an inmate, Robert L. Brooks, was beaten by correctional officers and died of the injuries. The indictments for the staff involved in the beating are set to be released Thursday. More recently, employees at Upstate Correctional in Malone were exposed to an undetermined substance, leading 25 of them to be sent to the hospital, according to North Country Public Radio.
According to NCPR, about 4,800 people from the North Country are employed at state prisons, and another estimated 7,000 people are incarcerated there. The strikes affect many people.
This article has been updated with information known as of Wednesday night. The news is ongoing, and there are daily updates.