New York Fires Striking Prison Guards, Investigates Inmate Deaths

State officials begin terminations and health insurance cancellations for striking corrections officers, while probes into inmate deaths raise concerns over prison conditions.

New York prison officials have started firing corrections officers who refused to return to work after a mediated deal to end their illegal strike, which began on February 17.
Thousands of striking officers and their dependents are losing health insurance, with some also at risk of losing pensions due to violations of the state’s Taylor Law prohibiting public employee strikes.
The strike, affecting up to 38 of the state’s 42 prisons, was driven by demands for safer working conditions, including changes to the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement.
Investigations are underway into the recent deaths of four inmates during the strike, including a 22-year-old reportedly beaten by guards at Mid-State Correctional Facility.
Governor Hochul deployed thousands of National Guard troops to maintain prison operations and announced measures to address staffing shortages, overtime, and safety concerns.