In New York, a standoff between state officials and correctional officers has escalated as an unauthorized strike by prison guards entered its third week. The impasse has led to decisive measures by state authorities, including the termination of employees who refuse to comply with the conditions laid out to end the strike.
Jackie Bray, the head of the state’s homeland security department, announced that the process of dismissing striking workers commenced on Sunday, with plans to revoke health insurance coverage for those remaining on strike set for Monday. This move impacts not only the officers but also extends its effects to their families who are dependent on this coverage.
To date, fewer than ten guards have lost their jobs, according to Bray, but thousands more find themselves at the brink of losing their health benefits. “These decisions are made with careful consideration,” Bray emphasized. “Our priority has been to resolve the situation without resorting to these measures.” The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, representing the guards, has been contacted for their perspective.
Simultaneously, at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York, staff members have been placed on administrative leave after the death of a 22-year-old inmate. Reports from fellow prisoners to media outlets allege that the inmate suffered due to physical abuse by officers. This incident occurs amid heightened tensions, following previous charges at a nearby facility where six guards faced murder charges linked to the death of an inmate last December.
In light of recent events, Jose Saldana of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign has criticized the striking guards, suggesting the strike is a diversion tactic from recent “atrocities” committed by some officers. Saldana accused the guards of holding inmates hostage, asserting that the strike impedes the provision of essential services to the prison population.
The correctional officers initiated the strike on February 17, citing poor working conditions as their primary grievance. An agreement brokered last Thursday by Governor Kathy Hochul aimed to settle the discord, promising improvements such as addressing staff shortages and adjusting overtime policies, with guards expected to resume duties by Saturday to avoid any consequences.
This accord between the state and the union involved strategies to alleviate mandatory overtime and suspend certain prison reforms that, according to striking workers, compromised safety. It also promised temporary enhancements in overtime pay and proposed an overhaul of the pay structure, alongside a 90-day suspension of reforms related to solitary confinement. The evaluation of this policy’s impact on prison safety is planned during this suspension.
Despite the strike being against state legislation, which restricts walkouts by public employees, the involvement of the National Guard was sanctioned by Gov. Hochul to fill the gaps left by the striking guards. Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello reported a decrease in the number of affected facilities, noting the number had diminished from 38 to 32, though visitations remain halted across all state correctional institutions.
The agreement further involved immediate financial adjustments, offering double plus overtime rates instead of the traditional time and a half for the next month, and reviewing salary grades for officers and sergeants within a specified period. The understanding also focused on mitigating staffing challenges through operational evaluations at each facility.
“Looking ahead, our strategy must focus on increasing the workforce of correction officers—our operations thrive better with adequate staffing,” Bray asserted, highlighting potential recruitment incentives like a $3,000 referral bonus. “The comprehensive implementation of these plans awaits the resolution of the current strike,” she concluded, underlining the importance of bringing the workforce back to facilitate these changes.
