Prison Strikes

As corrections facilities are trying to regroup from a three-week long strike that rippled across New York, the state will have to address key issues of safety and staffing going forward.

Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed new prison reforms meant to ease staffing shortages on Tuesday as part of state budget negotiations, while the head of the state Department of Corrections said he wants to release qualifying incarcerated individuals early for the same reason.

New York state prisons will release some inmates early because the system does not have enough corrections officers, weeks after the state fired more than 2,000 guards who went on strike over poor working conditions.

Terminated state correction officers will be eligible for hire in local government positions on or after April 10.

"It was risky for the people to go out on strike. If the union endorses it, then the penalties are paid by the union. For the individuals, it's pretty easy to get yourself fired. And in this case, blacklisted not getting another state job.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul has barred prison guards who were fired for illegally walking off the job from being hired for other state jobs.

The wildcat strike led to lockdowns, National Guard deployments and at least seven prisoner deaths.

The state is hoping the offer will convince thousands of striking officers to come back to work.

While nearly 60% of corrections officers remain on strike, hundreds of them gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday. The rally served as a poignant message to Gov. Kathy Hochul that the deal and termination proceedings against striking individuals have not convinced staff to return to their posts.

New York state police are investigating the death of an inmate as the state corrections system continues to be roiled by a wildcat strike by prison staff.