A newly released state memorandum seemingly shows some movement toward resolving a dayslong prison strike involving hundreds of correction workers that has disrupted prison operations statewide.

The New York State Department of Community Corrections and Supervision memorandum released Thursday afternoon calls for elements of the correction officers' core complaint, the state reform act HALT – to be suspended during the prison-wide state of emergency. It rescinds the unpopular “70/30” workforce memorandum about how prisons can operate with less staff, increases overtime pay during the strike and promises protesters they’ll be protected from disciplinary action if they return to work by Thursday night.

Woodbourne correction officers on strike in Sullivan County and their supporters say the negotiations so far, aren’t good enough.

“We are going to be out here until they decide to sit down at the table and have real talks,” says retired Woodbourne deputy superintendent of security Adam Ramirez. “These guys are burned out. They don’t see their families for days. Nobody’s ever heard of anything like that.”

News 12 reached out to DOCCS for more information about the memo but hasn’t received a response. Independent state mediator Martin Scheinman, Esq. has been assigned to resolve the dispute and issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying, “I have determined it is in the parties’ best interest to set an aggressive mediation schedule to discuss numerous outstanding issues fueling the strike.”

Scheinman says a three-day Zoom meeting with state officials and New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association representatives will begin Feb. 25 to present an overview of initial positions and issues.

“I am confident this mediation process can help the parties open a constructive dialogue to move towards resolution of their differences. I look forward to working with both teams to ensure a fair and thoughtful discussion of their concerns takes place,” says Scheinman.

The correction officer strike began Monday in protest of what the state workers say are historically low staffing levels, 24-shift mandates and dangerous working conditions due to the state’s 2022 Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act (HALT) which, among other things, limits the use of segregated confinement in prisons and jails.

“This situation is just the last straw for people. They have families, children and no one signed up for this,” retired Woodbourne sergeant Dave Cornich says. “To make this decision is incredibly difficult but they had no choice. These are people with 10, 15 {years}, near retirement saying, ‘I can’t do this.’”

Woodbourne Correctional Facility has had nearly two dozen officers and civilian staff sickened, some with seizure-like symptoms requiring Narcan and emergency hospital treatment, in recent weeks due to alleged inmate contraband use.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has activated 3,500 New York National Guard members to help with prison operations during the unrest.

“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,” says Hochul.

Prisoners say they’re feeling the impacts of the divide.

“There’s no more commissary. There’s no more medical. Only the people that have the most severe medical issues are getting treatment. No more hot meals,” says an incarcerated individual News 12 spoke to by phone at Eastern Correctional Facility.

Critics say the strike is to deflect from the alleged actions of upstate correction officers accused of murdering an inmate.

“This crisis was not caused by incarcerated people. It was manufactured by a group of rogue corrections officers who abandoned their posts in a deliberate attempt to sabotage reforms designed to protect incarcerated people from abuse,” says Thomas Grant, community organizer at the Center for Community Alternatives.

News 12 has called NYSCOPBA for information about the continuing negotiations but has yet to receive a response. The union’s director of public relations released a statement, however, on the indictment and arrests of nine members accused of murdering Robert Brooks, an incarcerated individual at Marcy Correctional Facility, saying the alleged actions of those staff were “incomprehensible and not reflective of the majority of our membership.”

As of Thursday, DOCCS announced visitations at all state prisons are suspended until further notice.