ALBANY, N.Y. — A statewide strike by New York correctional officers has entered its second week, leaving prisons severely understaffed and prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to deploy the National Guard in an effort to maintain security. The work stoppage, which began on February 17, 2025, is estimated to involve about 12,500 officers, affecting 30 of the state’s 42 prisons.
Hochul has condemned the strike as illegal under the state’s Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from walking off the job. Her administration has taken legal action against the striking officers, ordering them to return to work immediately. “This unlawful strike is putting the safety of correctional facilities, staff, and surrounding communities at risk,” Hochul said in a statement.
To address the staffing crisis, Hochul has deployed more than 3,500 National Guard members, along with state troopers and court officers, to prisons across New York. She has also considered using alternative holding centers within the state but has not confirmed any plans to transfer inmates out of state.
The strike has caused major disruptions in prison operations, with reports of increased inmate unrest, limited medical care, and canceled visitations. A recent uprising at Riverview Correctional Facility has heightened concerns over security.
Correctional officers are protesting what they describe as dangerous working conditions, citing understaffing, mandatory overtime, and policies such as the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) Act, which they argue has made prisons less safe. While the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has not formally sanctioned the strike, the union is engaged in negotiations with the governor’s office.
Despite Hochul’s efforts to contain the crisis, no resolution has been reached, and tensions between the state and correctional officers remain high.
