Correction officer strikes continue in Hudson Valley, state discusses next steps
Demands for better working conditions are echoing loudly from correction officers at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining. It comes as the state announces new steps toward a possible resolution.
Demands for better working conditions are echoing loudly from correction officers at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining. It comes as the state announces new steps toward a possible resolution.
"Our basic demands are we have security issues and staffing, we need those taken care of," says Israel Sanchez, a retired correction sergeant at Sing Sing.
The correction officers are demanding better working conditions. They say a big part of that is not enough staffing and long shifts.
"Sixteen hours, 24 hours, working all day with no sleep. You can't eat right, away from their families," says retired Sing Sing correction officer Enrique Maldonado.
Officers also want the "HALT Act" shut down. It reduces the number of hours an inmate can be held in solitary confinement.
The rallies at Sing Sing are part of a statewide picket that has been going on for days.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for them to end.
"I am directing everyone involved in these unlawful strikes to stop these actions immediately," Hochul said Wednesday.
Some local politicians are showing their support for the picketing officers.
"Our correctional officers are not safe in there. They need what they want, what they demand," says Westchester County LegislatorJames Nolan.
Rep. Mike Lawler and Assemblyman Matt Slater also stopped by, in solidarity of the correction officers.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision sent out a memo detailing their steps going forward on Thursday.
It includes suspending some elements of the "HALT Act" that can't safely be operationalized under a prison-wide state of emergency.
Officers say it's a good start but they want to see more.
"What we would like is a permanent solution. This is more than a one-week or two-week thing, we need something set in stone," says Sanchez.
In the meantime, a mediator has been appointed. Meetings with both sides begin next week.
Officials with the state say through the mediation process, they will continue to discuss recruitment, retention and overall safety issues.
