The corrections officers’ strike, now entering its second week, is an act that union officials themselves acknowledge violates state law. These officers have walked off the job, despite a judge’s order to return to their posts. The reasons behind their actions are multifaceted, ranging from demands for better pay and staffing to improved safety measures and the reinstatement of solitary confinement as a disciplinary tool.
In response to the staffing crisis, Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed National Guard troops to maintain order within the prisons. But as I’ve learned throughout my career, a quick fix doesn’t always address the underlying problems.
The Legal Aid Society, which provided legal counsel to Jonathon Grant, has voiced concerns that the strike is directly impacting the health and well-being of inmates. According to their statement, they’ve received numerous reports from incarcerated individuals who are being denied critical medical care and essential prescriptions, including life-sustaining medications like insulin and blood pressure pills.
