A tentative deal has been reached between New York State and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to end the ongoing prison strike that has disrupted nearly 30 facilities across the state, including Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County.
The agreement, formalized in a Consent Award, follows four days of mediation led by arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman. As part of the deal, the state will temporarily suspend certain provisions of the HALT Act—legislation designed to limit solitary confinement—that correctional officers have argued exacerbates violence and safety concerns in understaffed prisons.
Additionally, a “Circuit Breaker” Staffing Metric will be implemented on high-impact days, such as weekends, to assess staff shortages. If staffing levels fall below a critical threshold, certain prison programs, including those affected by the HALT Act, may be temporarily suspended to ensure safety.
Mediator Scheinman noted the strained relationship between NYSCOPBA and state officials, emphasizing that trust remains a major issue. To enforce the agreement, it will be filed as a court order, making non-compliance subject to legal consequences.
The strike, which state officials deemed illegal under the Taylor Law, prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to deploy the National Guard to maintain order. Local lawmakers have continued to push for a repeal of the HALT Act, arguing that it has made prisons more dangerous.
While the agreement marks a step toward resolution, NYSCOPBA leaders have yet to confirm whether members will immediately return to work, pending further discussions on long-term staffing and safety reforms.
Health Concerns for Officers
Assemblymember Paula Kay for the 100th district has raised urgent concerns about severe chemical exposures affecting corrections officers at Woodbourne. “There are still no answers to the exposures that are happening at Woodbourne. I have been stonewalled to date,” she said. Kay described officers “coming out on stretchers… vomiting… passed out… their blood pressure is through the roof.” She noted that two National Guard members had also been affected.
Kay believes the exposure is linked to synthetic substances being smuggled into the prison via legal mail, particularly letters to attorneys, which cannot be opened by corrections staff. “We believe it’s coming in through letters,” she explained. “We’ve asked them to stop for a period of time what’s coming into Woodbourne so that we can get a handle on this.”
In addition to the health crisis, Kay also criticized the Department of Corrections’ handling of staff shortages. “Officers have been called back to work—no matter what excuse. Family medical leave? Not an excuse. An officer who just had knee surgery? Not an excuse,” she said. Officers deemed absent without leave (AWOL) have had their dental and vision insurance cut off, a move Kay called unjust.
Kay has formally requested that Governor Hochul’s office and the Department of Corrections take immediate action to investigate the chemical exposures and halt incoming mail until the source of the contamination is identified. “I was told there would be a response. Today is Thursday… I’m waiting.”
Additional Agreement Details
According to the Gothamist, reporter Jimmy Vielkind states that a law restricting the use of solitary confinement in New York’s prisons would remain suspended for 90 days if corrections officers accept the tentative agreement.
There will be no departmental discipline for any of the thousands of corrections officers if they return to work by Saturday, according to a memo released by Governor Hochul. The agreement also includes provisions to reduce mandated overtime, increase the overtime pay rate, and temporarily hire retired corrections officers to assist in transporting incarcerated individuals.
More than 3,500 National Guard personnel who were deployed to prisons during the strike will remain on-site. The agreement states that Governor Hochul will determine the “overall support and draw down” of the deployment.
Hochul announced the terms of the tentative deal after four days of mediation between the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the union representing correctional officers.
While the union did not officially endorse the strike, spokesperson James Miller stated that they will assess how striking workers react to the deal before determining if the strike will officially end. “We have reached a consent award to address many of the concerns raised by correction officers, put DOCCS back on the path to safe operations, respect the rights of incarcerated individuals, and prevent future unsanctioned work stoppages,” Governor Hochul said in a statement.
The strike began on February 17 at two facilities before spreading to more than two dozen across the state. Officers cited increasing understaffing and dangerous conditions, blaming the 2021 HALT law for making it harder to maintain discipline.
The law, which limits the duration of solitary confinement and requires hearings before placement, had already been suspended prior to the agreement. Advocates for incarcerated individuals oppose this suspension, arguing that solitary confinement amounts to torture. Progressive lawmakers have criticized Hochul for suspending the law’s provisions, stating they have no plans to change it.
Reports indicate that conditions at Woodbourne Correctional Facility deteriorated during the strike. Incarcerated individuals lost access to telephones, hot meals, and the commissary during lockdowns. At least three incarcerated individuals have died during the strike, and investigations into these deaths are ongoing.
The strike also follows the death of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated individual at Marcy Correctional Facility, who was allegedly beaten to death by staff. Six employees have been charged with murder in connection with his death and have pleaded not guilty.
The union and state officials continue negotiations as the deadline for returning to work approaches.