Hundreds of New York corrections officers are walking off the job, demanding that their working environment changes behind prison walls. This comes after what they are calling ‘unchecked’ instances of inmate assaults on each other and officers.They say enough is enough.After what they say were years of unsafe working conditions under the ‘Halt Act.’ It’s a New York State law that limits the use of solitary confinement in prisons. It was implemented three years ago.These former COs and family members of current ones say it leads to more fights and made the job even more dangerous.”It’s happening daily inside of prisons,” said retired Bare Hill prison guard Tom Agans. “Inmate on inmate, assault officers, and there’s no outside charges”.According to the New York Family of Corrections website, current and former employees working for 30 prisons across the state of New York are braving the cold, to bring attention to the issue.”This isn’t a college campus where these guys can do all kinds of stupid crap and receive no punishment whatsoever,” said Randy Coleman, a retiree out of Bare Hill.They also say the officers are dealing with significant staffing shortages right now.”We have people who are working 24 hours a day,” said Coleman.Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for an end to the protests. Saying in part:”We will not allow these individuals to jeopardize the safety of their colleagues, incarcerated people, and the residents of communities surrounding our correctional facilities.”The protesters that gathered in Malone Tuesday night tell NBC5 they hope the governor comes to the table with a solution to solve the problems going on inside these walls so they do not have to worry about whether or not their loved ones will make it home.”It hasn’t happened yet but we keep going this way, somebody’s gonna end up dead” said Agans.Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that she has ordered the New York National Guard to be ready to deploy as early as Wednesday if these strikes continue.Protesters plan to be in Malone again early Wednesday morning around 5 a.m.
Hundreds of New York corrections officers are walking off the job, demanding that their working environment changes behind prison walls. This comes after what they are calling ‘unchecked’ instances of inmate assaults on each other and officers.
They say enough is enough.
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After what they say were years of unsafe working conditions under the ‘Halt Act.’ It’s a New York State law that limits the use of solitary confinement in prisons. It was implemented three years ago.
These former COs and family members of current ones say it leads to more fights and made the job even more dangerous.
“It’s happening daily inside of prisons,” said retired Bare Hill prison guard Tom Agans. “Inmate on inmate, assault officers, and there’s no outside charges”.
According to the New York Family of Corrections website, current and former employees working for 30 prisons across the state of New York are braving the cold, to bring attention to the issue.
“This isn’t a college campus where these guys can do all kinds of stupid crap and receive no punishment whatsoever,” said Randy Coleman, a retiree out of Bare Hill.
They also say the officers are dealing with significant staffing shortages right now.
“We have people who are working 24 hours a day,” said Coleman.
Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for an end to the protests. Saying in part:
“We will not allow these individuals to jeopardize the safety of their colleagues, incarcerated people, and the residents of communities surrounding our correctional facilities.”
The protesters that gathered in Malone Tuesday night tell NBC5 they hope the governor comes to the table with a solution to solve the problems going on inside these walls so they do not have to worry about whether or not their loved ones will make it home.
“It hasn’t happened yet but we keep going this way, somebody’s gonna end up dead” said Agans.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that she has ordered the New York National Guard to be ready to deploy as early as Wednesday if these strikes continue.
Protesters plan to be in Malone again early Wednesday morning around 5 a.m.
