In response to the illegal action taken by over 2,000 New York prison guards, Governor Kathy Hochul has prohibited their employment in other state roles as the state attempts to recuperate from a three-week unauthorized strike that significantly impacted the prison system. Officials announced that correctional officers who did not return to work, following a recently reached agreement between the state and the guards’ union, were dismissed from their positions. This agreement aims to mitigate mandatory 24-hour overtime shifts and temporarily relaxes limitations on the use of solitary confinement.
As of Tuesday, correctional facilities in the state reported over 10,000 active officers, a reduction from 13,500 before the walkout’s inception on February 17th. The strike had seen the mobilization of more than 6,000 National Guard personnel to assist within the prisons.
Governor Hochul, in a prepared statement, acknowledged the conclusion of the strike, emphasizing a renewed focus on improving prison safety, supporting correctional staff, and recruiting future officers. Despite plans to bolster prison staffing, Hochul signed an executive order preventing state agencies from hiring the guards dismissed for participating in the strike. She reiterated that violating the state’s no-strike law for public employees carries enduring fallout, including a permanent ban from state employment.
The correctional officers’ union has yet to comment on the situation.
Prior to the strike, New York’s prison system faced critiques of overworked staff and inconsistent service and medical care for inmates according to advocates. Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of the Correctional Association of New York, commented on the fragile state of the system which, in her view, was close to a breaking point even before the officers walked out.
In addition to operational chaos, the strike coincided with the deaths of seven inmates. Among these was Messiah Nantwi, whose March 1st death at Mid-State Correctional Facility is under investigation by a special prosecutor. A court document from the attorney general’s office suggests potential involvement of up to nine correctional officers in his death. Furthermore, six officers were indicted for murder concerning the December death of Robert Brooks at the nearby Marcy Correctional Facility.
The strike unfolded as Governor Hochul looks to secure legislative support in the new state budget to potentially shut down up to five prisons, aiming to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the prison system.
