A New York prison guard strike entered its third week on Monday, escalating tensions as officials began firing workers and canceling health insurance for those refusing to return.
State Officials Crack Down on Striking Workers
Jackie Bray, the state’s homeland security commissioner, announced that the terminations began on Sunday, with fewer than 10 officers fired so far. However, thousands are now at risk of losing their health benefits, including their dependents.
“None of these actions we take lightly,” Bray stated. “We have tried at every turn to get people back to work without taking these actions.”
A message requesting comment was left for the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), the union representing the striking officers.
Growing Controversy Over Inmate Deaths
Meanwhile, multiple correctional officers at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York, were placed on administrative leave following the death of a 22-year-old prisoner on Saturday.
According to The New York Times, witness accounts suggest the inmate was beaten by officers. This incident follows the December death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility, where six guards have been charged with murder.
Jose Saldana, director of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, condemned the strike, stating:
“Now that lawmakers feel an obligation to rein in these atrocities, guards are engaging in an illegal work stoppage as a distraction.”
Saldana further accused the officers of “holding hostage tens of thousands of incarcerated people” to demand greater power.
Related: New York Reaches Agreement to End Prison Worker Strike
Strikes and Negotiations
Prison guards began walking out on February 17, citing poor working conditions.
Last Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a binding agreement between the state and the officers’ union to end the strike, requiring workers to return by Saturday or face discipline.
The agreement included:
- Addressing staffing shortages
- Minimizing mandatory 24-hour overtime shifts
- A temporary increase in overtime pay
- The suspension of a prison reform law that guards blamed for reduced safety
Despite this, some officers continued the strike, prompting the state to deploy the National Guard at several facilities.
Impact on Prisons and Future Plans
As of Monday, Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello reported that the number of affected prisons dropped from 38 to 32. However, visitation remains suspended statewide.
The deal also included a 90-day suspension of a law limiting solitary confinement, pending an evaluation of its impact on staff and inmate safety.
To further address staffing shortages, the state plans to recruit more officers, including offering a $3,000 referral bonus for employees.
“No matter when this ends or how this ends, our long-term plan must be and is to recruit more corrections officers because our facilities run safer when we’re fully staffed,” Bray emphasized.
The strike has brought state prison conditions into the spotlight, raising concerns about both correctional officers’ safety and inmate treatment. Whether this dispute will fully resolve remains to be seen.
