NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul of New York issued a warning on Tuesday about possibly deploying National Guard troops to restore order as a strike by prison guards across the state entered its second day.
State officials and representatives from the union concur that the strike is in violation of regulations that govern state employees.
In a statement, Hochul emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The illegal and unlawful actions being taken by a number of correction officers must end immediately. We will not allow these individuals to jeopardize the safety of their colleagues, the incarcerated population, and the residents living near our correctional facilities.”
The union representing corrections officers has expressed that its members are feeling immense pressure, stating, “our members’ backs are against the wall.” They are advocating for higher wages, enhanced security checks for visitors at prisons, and a reversal of certain prison reform measures, including those that limit the use of solitary confinement.
While specific figures on staff attendance at the facilities were not available at the time, reports indicated that some employees were refusing to report for their shifts at least at 25 different prisons. There were also reports of picketing occurring outside various detention centers.
“They understand that they can face fines and disciplinary actions,” commented Kenny Gold from the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association during a protest outside the Collins Correctional Facility on Monday.
Following this, corrections officials engaged in discussions with union leaders on Tuesday, as highlighted in Hochul’s announcement, which further underscored her commitment to compel workers to return to their duties.
This current strike comes on the heels of increased demands for accountability concerning prison guards, which were amplified after the release of a video in January that depicted corrections officers assaulting a handcuffed inmate at the Marcy Correctional Facility. This individual died the following day, prompting the Governor to order the dismissal of some facility staff members. In February, the death was officially categorized as a homicide.
