New York Governor Kathy Hochul has taken the significant step of deploying National Guard troops to state-run prisons amid an escalating labor dispute involving corrections workers. According to reports, as of Wednesday morning, hundreds of corrections officers at approximately 30 state prisons engaged in unauthorized work stoppages, effectively halting their duties. This action has created a crisis within the prison system, prompting Governor Hochul to mobilize National Guard personnel to maintain order and ensure the basic needs of inmates are met.
In a video address released on Wednesday, Governor Hochul emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that National Guard soldiers had already been deployed to key facilities. She urged striking workers to cease their unlawful actions immediately, stressing that legal measures, including a temporary restraining order, had been put in place to enforce compliance. “They’ve already been deployed and are ready to stabilize the situation,” Hochul said, making it clear that the state would not tolerate disruptions to the operation of its correctional facilities. Spectrum News reported that National Guard troops arrived at the Attica Correctional Facility in Humvees, signaling the state’s commitment to asserting control.
The deployment of 3,500 National Guard members marks a critical turning point in the standoff. According to Hochul’s office, the troops will assist with essential tasks such as distributing meals and medication to inmates, as well as maintaining order within the facilities. This intervention aims to mitigate the chaos caused by the strike, which has left inmates and their families grappling with severe restrictions. Advocacy groups, including the Alliance of Families for Justice, have raised concerns about the widespread lockdowns and suspension of services such as legal visits, family reunions, and religious observances. Soffiyah Elijah, the organization’s executive director, expressed fears about the potential consequences of involving the National Guard, drawing parallels to the 1971 Attica prison massacre, in which 43 people were killed during a state-led crackdown on a prisoner uprising.
The strike has also brought to light deeper issues within New York’s correctional system, including the grievances of corrections officers themselves. Union leaders from the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) acknowledged that the work stoppage was not officially sanctioned but emphasized that officers are pushing for better pay, stricter visitor searches, and a rollback of recent prison reforms that limit solitary confinement. These reforms, aimed at reducing the use of isolation as a disciplinary measure, have been a point of contention among corrections staff, who argue that they hinder their ability to maintain order within the prisons.
The labor dispute comes in the wake of a high-profile incident at Marcy Correctional Facility, where inmate Robert Brooks was fatally beaten by corrections officers while handcuffed. video footage of the incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading Governor Hochul to call for the dismissal of the officers involved. The death of Brooks, which was ruled a homicide in early February, has become a rallying cry for both corrections officers and advocates for prison reform. While officers argue that they are overburdened and understaffed, critics point to systemic issues of violence and accountability within the prison system.
As the standoff continues, negotiations between union leaders and state officials remain ongoing. James Miller, a spokesperson for NYSCOPBA, stated that talks between the union and the Governor’s Office were underway, with both sides seeking a resolution to the crisis. The state has also taken legal action under the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from engaging in strikes. A temporary restraining order has been granted, and striking workers could face fines or other penalties if they continue their action. With tensions running high and the involvement of the National Guard intensifying the situation, the stakes for all parties involved remain extraordinarily high.
