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3mo ago

New York Prison Strike Escalates as State Threatens Legal Action and Considers Out-of-State Transfers

Correction officers protest unsafe working conditions and solitary confinement reforms, while prisons face staffing shortages and rising violence.

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Striking corrections officers demonstrate in Coxsackie on Feb. 19. A protester's sign names the governor, chair of the state Senate corrections committee, and corrections commissioner.

Overview

  • Thousands of New York correction officers have participated in an illegal strike, citing unsafe working conditions, understaffing, and the impact of the 2021 HALT Act on prison safety.
  • Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard to state prisons, threatened striking officers with legal action, and proposed transferring incarcerated individuals to out-of-state facilities.
  • The HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement, has been a key point of contention, with officers arguing it has increased violence, while advocates say it ensures humane treatment for incarcerated individuals.
  • Negotiations between the state corrections department and union representatives are ongoing, with discussions including overtime pay and potential adjustments to HALT provisions.
  • Prisons are reporting deteriorating conditions, including restricted inmate movement and inadequate services, with one inmate's death over the weekend raising concerns about medical care during the strike.