Workers at several New York state correctional facilities are picketing, including correctional officers and staff near Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County, citing hazardous working conditions, excessive mandatory overtime, and a lack of action from state officials. The strikes have impacted about 30 of the state’s 42 prisons.
Visitations at all of New York’s 42 correctional facilities have been canceled until further notice.The state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision made the announcement Thursday morning.
Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an end to the “illegal” strike. On Wednesday, she said she has deployed National Guard troops to state prisons. She did not immediately specify where.
Governor Hochul says she has implemented measures aimed at improving conditions, but officers argue these efforts are insufficient to address the crisis. Hochul said, “We are committed to ensuring the safety of both correctional officers and inmates, and we will continue to work towards fair solutions that address these concerns.” She also emphasized, “Striking is not the answer; we must engage in productive dialogue to create lasting change.”
She has directed Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel Martuscello and senior officials to meet with union leadership to negotiate an end to the strike.
Should the work stoppage continue, Hochul has instructed legal counsel to explore enforcement options under the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from striking and mandates their return to work. Commissioner Martuscello echoed the urgency of resolving the dispute, noting, “This illegal job action involving NYSCOPBA members is causing irreparable harm to department operations and jeopardizing safety.”
This story was updated February 20.
Image: Striking correctional workers from the Woodbourne Correctional Facility on February 18, 2025. (Credit: Patricio Robayo)
As a guardsman stuck on the inside. We get your demands but we aren’t trained for YOUR job. We have family’s also and endangering our safety with not having any protective equipment is worse.