Hochul Moves To Arrest Striking Officers Instead Of Fixing Broken Prison System

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is taking drastic action against thousands of corrections officers on strike, choosing to threaten them with legal consequences rather than acknowledge the unsafe conditions they are protesting. With more than 15,000 officers refusing to return to work, Hochul has begun legal proceedings to arrest participants, all while refusing to address the policies that have led to the mass walkout.

The strike, which has lasted more than a week, stems from what officers say are worsening conditions in the state’s prisons. Staffing shortages, extended shifts, and policies like the HALT Act have made their jobs more dangerous, yet Hochul has rejected their concerns and instead focused on cracking down on those taking part in the strike.

At a press briefing, Hochul announced that 380 officers had already been served legal notices and could face arrest. “The proceedings have started,” she told reporters. Her administration has signaled that this effort will continue until all striking officers return. Marcos Gonzalez Soler, her deputy secretary for public safety, stated, “We will go to catch every single one of them until they’ve returned to work.”

In addition to legal threats, Hochul has authorized severe financial penalties against workers. She has ordered the state to revoke health benefits for those on strike and is deducting two days’ pay for each day they remain off the job. Meanwhile, she has brought in 6,500 National Guard members to take over prison duties and has started relocating inmates due to the staffing crisis.

The protest escalated after a leaked memo from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) revealed a plan to cut staffing even further, instructing officials to find ways to “eliminate and/or realign posts.” Officers at Collins Correctional Facility were the first to strike, with thousands joining soon after in opposition to the deteriorating conditions.

While the state has put forward temporary wage increases and minor policy changes, Hochul’s focus on arrests and retaliation has raised questions about whether she is negotiating in good faith. Workers remain skeptical that any real improvements will be made as long as her administration continues prioritizing legal threats over workplace safety.

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