National Guard Activated After 'Illegal' Strikes At NY Prisons: Hochul

NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Wednesday activating members of the New York National Guard in an effort to ensure safety at state prisons where correction officers have been engaged in "illegal and unlawful work stoppage," she said.

Earlier on Wednesday, New York State filed an injunction under the Taylor Law and a judge granted a temporary restraining order mandating that striking correction officers cease the "illegal activity," she said.

According to News 12, protests have been ongoing this week outside six state prisons in Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan Counties, including the Otisville, Woodbourne, Ulster State Correctional Facility, Wallkill, Eastern Correctional Facility and Fishkill facilities.

The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association did not immediately respond to multiple requests by Patch for comment.

The executive order also provided authority for additional overtime compensation for correction officers and other staff who were reporting for duty and actively working to secure facilities, she said.

In addition, Hochul also directed the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the Office of Employee Relations to retain independent mediator Martin Scheinman to help "bring a quick and immediate end to this illegal work stoppage," she said.

"These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population, and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities," Hochul said. "In an effort to resolve this illegal work stoppage, I have directed the appointment of highly respected independent mediator Martin Scheinman, who will begin work immediately to return striking correction officers back to work. While I am confident we will resolve this illegal strike, I am grateful for the thousands of correction officers and staff that are continuing to report for duty — I thank them for their continued service and for doing the right thing."

On Wednesday, more than 3,500 members of the New York National Guard started reporting for duty, as advance crews were at correctional facilities ahead of the larger deployment to determine logistical needs and roles and responsibilities.

National Guard members will be directed to support and supplement current correctional staff on site to ensure safety and security with tasks including distributing meals and medication to incarcerated individuals and help maintain general order and wellness in the facilities; additional members are expected to report for duty in the coming hours and days, Hochul said.

Hochul announced preparations on Tuesday to utilize the New York National Guard to protect correction officers who are currently on the job, as others strike at prisons across New York.

The goal, she said, was also to protect individuals in the care of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision —and the communities surrounding the correctional facilities.

Hochul also directed Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel Martuscello and senior administration officials to meet with leaders from the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association to call for an end to the "unlawful work stoppage that is causing significant public safety concerns across New York," she said.

Spectrum News reported that the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association members were protesting working conditions, including staffing and safety.

Specifically, the report said, an incident last week at the Collins Correctional Facility led to "three minor injuries to staff members and the prison going on lockdown."

"The illegal and unlawful actions being taken by a number of correction officers must end immediately," Hochul said. "We will not allow these individuals to jeopardize the safety of their colleagues, incarcerated people, and the residents of communities surrounding our correctional facilities."

Martuscello spoke out on Tuesday: "Earlier today, we met with NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers and his executive board to discuss a path forward to returning all facilities to normal operations and ending this illegal strike. The safety and security of the staff and incarcerated population is paramount to me. I value the hard work and commitment of the men and women at DOCCS who have had to sacrifice time with their families due to the current staffing shortage."

He added: "However, this illegal job action involving NYSCOPBA members is causing irreparable harm to the operations of the department and jeopardizing the safety and security of their co-workers within these facilities. We will continue to develop strategies to reduce assaults and to bring more staff on board with NYSCOPBA, the recognized bargaining agency for correction officers and sergeants. There is always room for progress and for disagreements, and we welcome continued dialogue with the union at the table. At this time, I am urging all those on strike to end this job action."