‘They are scared.' Loved ones discuss how prison strike is impacting prisoners
News 12 is told correction officers on duty at the start of the strike are not being allowed to leave their posts and are sleeping in gymnasiums.
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As New York state correction officers continue to strike and protest what they say are unsafe and unsustainable working conditions, News 12 is hearing from loved ones of incarcerated individuals about how the historic unrest is impacting life behind bars.
“They need food. They need medication. They need safety,” says Jennifer Ayala, whose husband is incarcerated at Greene Correctional Facility. “They’re sending out emails. They are scared.”
Loved ones, like Ayala, say prisoners at impacted facilities statewide are reporting missed meals, medication disruptions and modified lockdowns during the strike.
“We have somebody at Eastern {Correctional Facility} begging for insulin. {They} called their loved one and said my sugar is so high I can’t even see,” says Ayala.
So far, the state has not said how the unauthorized workforce action, which began on Monday, is impacting prisoners other than that visitations are being canceled at some facilities.
Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered the New York National Guard to mobilize on Tuesday and report to duty at prisons statewide.
It’s not clear what prisons those service members are being sent to or what roles they will fulfill.
State police are currently providing exterior security at some state prisons.
“Civilians are coming off the community streets to serve and cook food and do the best for inmates,” says another woman, who asked to remain anonymous.
News 12 is told correction officers on duty at the start of the strike are not being allowed to leave their posts and are sleeping in gymnasiums.
News 12's repeated inquiries about the prison conditions during the strike to Gov. Hochul’s office, the Department of Community Corrections and Supervision and NYSCOPBA, the union representing state correction officers, remain unanswered.
“They are not getting the basic needs met right now,” Ayala says. “That’s not OK.”
