ALBANY, N.Y. — On Monday, over 2,000 prison guards in New York were dismissed for not returning to their duties after engaging in a wildcat strike that spanned several weeks, severely impacting the state’s correctional systems. However, state officials announced that enough personnel resumed work to declare the unauthorized strike concluded.
“Following 22 days of an illegal work stoppage, we are pleased to announce an end to the strike,” stated Commissioner Daniel Martuscello during a virtual press conference.
Although a new agreement was reached over the weekend between the state’s administration and the union representing the correctional officers, it required at least 85% of staff to report back to work by Monday. Despite falling short of this target, Martuscello indicated that the state plans on upholding provisions related to overtime and other terms outlined in the agreement.
Meanwhile, the National Guard will maintain a presence in New York’s prison facilities to assist operations as the state’s Department of Corrections undertakes an extensive recruitment initiative to bolster workforce numbers. Currently, around 10,000 security staff are available for deployment throughout the state’s prisons, down from an estimated 13,500 before the strike occurred.
“Over 2,000 officers have received termination notices. Any officers and sergeants without pre-approved medical leave, who failed to return by today’s 6:45 a.m. deadline, are no longer employed,” Martuscello confirmed.
The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, the union for the guards, was contacted for comment.
Guards exited their posts on February 17, citing unjust working conditions. This mass walkout necessitated the deployment of National Guard troops by Governor Kathy Hochul to ensure the continuity of prison operations. Following the strike, inmates raised complaints regarding deteriorating conditions within the facilities. In March, the death of a 22-year-old inmate at a prison near Utica attracted scrutiny, prompting an investigation by a special prosecutor.
Though the wildcat strike contravenes state law prohibiting such actions by public employees and was not backed by the union, two prior agreements failed to motivate sufficient numbers of guards to return and resolve the crisis. The recently concluded arrangement included a temporary 90-day suspension of a solitary confinement limitation—an area of concern for many striking officers. It also incorporated terms that ensured no disciplinary action would be taken against officers who returned by Monday.
The disturbances in operational conditions arrived alongside multiple inmate deaths since the strike’s inception, though it remains uncertain if the unrest directly contributed to these fatalities.
An investigation spearheaded by Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick is currently probing the circumstances surrounding the death of inmate Messiah Nantwi at the Mid-State Correctional Facility on March 1. Legal documents suggest probable cause exists implying the potential involvement of up to nine correctional officers in the incident. Following Nantwi’s death, fifteen prison staffers were placed on administrative leave.
This investigation marks the second occurrence of a state’s inmate death being subjected to criminal inquiry in recent times. Last month, six guards faced murder charges for their alleged involvement in the December demise of inmate Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility, located across from Mid-State prison.
